It was a saying of Marshal Villars, that when war is decided on, it is
necessary to have exact information of the number of troops the enemy
can bring into the field, since it is impossible to lay down any solid
plan of offensive or defensive operation without an accurate knowledge
of what you have to expect and fear. “When the first shot is fired,”
observes Marshal Villars, “no one can calculate what will be the issue
of the war. It is, therefore, of vast importance to reflect maturely
before we begin it.” When once, however, this is decided, the marshal
observes that the boldest and most extended plans are generally the
wisest and the most successful. “When we are determined upon war,” he
adds, “we should carry it on vigorously and without trifling.”