Alfred Thayer Mahan Inspirational Quotes (7)

War, once declared, must be waged offensively, aggressively. The enemy must not be fended off but smitten down. You may then spare him every exaction, relinquish every gain, but „til then he must be struck incessantly and remorselessly.

The study of history lies at the foundation of all sound military conclusions and practice.

Whether they will or not, Americans must now begin to look outward. The growing production of the country demands it.

Force is never more operative than when it is known to exist but is not brandished.

Those far distant, storm-beaten ships, upon which the Grand Army never looked, stood between it and the dominion of the world.

Free supplies and open retreat are two essentials to the safety of an army or a fleet.

Organized force alone enables the quiet and the weak to go about their business and to sleep securely in their beds, safe from the violent without or within.