r stratagem, so that
to the quite feeble and little, for whom no prudence, no sagacity is
any longer sufficient at the point where all art seems to forsake
him, stratagem offers itself as a last resource. The more helpless his
situation, the more everything presses towards one single, desperate
blow, the more readily stratagem comes to the aid of his boldness. Let
loose from all further calculations, freed from all concern for the
future, boldness and stratagem intensify each other, and thus collect at
one point an infinitesimal glimmering of hope into a single ray, which
may likewise serve to kindle a flame.

CHAPTER XI. ASSEMBLY OF FORCES IN SPACE

THE best Strategy is ALWAYS TO BE VERY STRONG, first generally then at
the decisive point. Therefore, apart from the energy which creates the
Army, a work which is not always done by the General, there is no more
imperative and no simpler law for Strategy than to KEEP THE FORCES
CONCENTRATED.--No portion is to be separated from the main body unless
called away by some urgent necessity. On this maxim we stand firm, and
look upon it as a guide to be depended upon. What are the reasonable
grounds on which a detachment of forces may be made we shall learn by
degrees. Then we shall also see that this principle cannot have the same
general effects in every War, but that these are different according to
the means and end.

It seems incredible, and yet it has happened a hundred times, that
troops have been divided and separated merely through a mysterious
feeling of conventional manner, without any clear perception of the
reason.

If the concentration of the whole force is acknowledged as the norm, and
every division and separation as an exception which must be justified,
then not only will that folly be completely avoided, but also many an
erroneous ground for separating troops will be barred admission.

CHAPTER XII. ASSEMBLY OF FORCES IN TIME

WE have here to deal with a conception which in real life diffuses many
kinds of illusory light. A clear definition and development of the idea
is therefore necessary, and we hope to be allowed a short analysis.

War is the shock of two opposing forces in collision with each other,
from which it follows as a matter of course that the stronger not only
destroys the other, but carries it forward with it in its movement. This
fundamentally admits of no successive action of powers, but makes the
simultaneous application of all f