nds opposed to Foresight and prudence, has been stated in
the chapter on the certainty of the result in order thereby to show,
that theory has no right to restrict it by virtue of its legislative
power.

But this noble impulse, with which the human soul raises itself above
the most formidable dangers, is to be regarded as an active principle
peculiarly belonging to War. In fact, in what branch of human activity
should boldness have a right of citizenship if not in War?

From the transport-driver and the drummer up to the General, it is the
noblest of virtues, the true steel which gives the weapon its edge and
brilliancy.

Let us admit in fact it has in War even its own prerogatives. Over and
above the result of the calculation of space, time, and quantity, we
must allow a certain percentage which boldness derives from the weakness
of others, whenever it gains the mastery. It is therefore, virtually, a
creative power. This is not difficult to demonstrate philosophically. As
often as boldness encounters hesitation, the probability of the result
is of necessity in its favour, because the very state of hesitation
implies a loss of equilibrium already. It is only when it encounters
cautious foresight--which we may say is just as bold, at all events just
as strong and powerful as itself--that it is at a disadvantage; such
cases, however, rarely occur. Out of the whole multitude of prudent men
in the world, the great majority are so from timidity.

Amongst large masses, boldness is a force, the special cultivation of
which can never be to the detriment of other forces, because the great
mass is bound to a higher will by the frame-work and joints of the order
of battle and of the service, and therefore is guided by an intelligent
power which is extraneous. Boldness is therefore here only like a spring
held down until its action is required.

The higher the rank the more necessary it is that boldness should
be accompanied by a reflective mind, that it may not be a mere blind
outburst of passion to no purpose; for with increase of rank it
becomes always less a matter of self-sacrifice and more a matter of the
preservation of others, and the good of the whole. Where regulations
of the service, as a kind of second nature, prescribe for the masses,
reflection must be the guide of the General, and in his case individual
boldness in action may easily become a fault. Still, at the same time,
it is a fine failing, and must not be l