35 Alexander Suvorov Quotes

Alexander Suvorov quotes

1. One cannot think that blind bravery gives victory over the enemy.

2. The bullet is a fool, the bayonet is a fine chap.

3. The bullet is a mad thing; only the bayonet knows what it is about.

4. Train hard, fight easy.

5. Win with ability, not with numbers.

6. No battle can be won in the study, and theory without practice is dead.

7. The three military arts. First - Apprehension, how to arrange things in camp, how to march, how to attack, pursue, and strike; for taking up position, final judgement of the enemy's strength, for estimating his intentions. Second - Quickness... This quickness doesn't weary the men. The enemy doesn't expect us, reckons us 100 versts away, and if a long way off to begin with - 200, 300 or more - suddenly we're on him, like snow on the head; his head spins. Attack with what comes up, with what God sends; the cavalry to begin, smash, strike, cut off, don't let slip, hurra! Brothers do miracles! Third - Attack. Leg supports leg. Arm strengthens arm; many men will die in the volley; the enemy has the same weapons, but he doesn't know the Russian bayonet. Extend the line - attack at once with cold steel; extend the line without stopping... the Cossacks to get through everywhere... In two lines is strength; in three, half as much again; the first breaks, the second drives into heaps, the third overthrows.

8. It is very difficult to do one's duty. I was considered a barbarian because at the storming of the Praga 7,000 people were killed. Europe says that I am a monster. I myself have read this in the papers, but I would have liked to talk to people about this and ask them: is it not better to finish a war with the death of 7,000 people rather than to drag it on and kill 100,000.

9. The officers know that I myself am not ashamed to work at this. ...Suvorov was Major, and Adjutant, and everything down to Corporal; I myself looked into everything and could teach everybody.

10. To me death is better than the defensive.

11. If we had not driven them into hell... hell would have swallowed us.

12. Fight the enemy with the weapons he lacks.

13. Drill your soldiers well, and give them a pattern yourself.

14. Exercises cultivated self-reliance - the foundation of courage.

15. A strong pursuit, give no time for the enemy to think, take advantage of victory, uproot him, cut off his escape route.

16. Fire opens the gates of victory.

17. The more comfort the less courage there is.

18. Die for the Virgin, for your mother the Empress, for the royal family. The Church will pray to God for the dead. The survivor has honor and glory.

19. When the enemy is driven back, we have failed, and when he is cut off, encircled and dispersed, we have succeeded.

20. Accustom yourself to tireless activity...

21. One minute decides the outcome of a battle, one hour the success of a campaign, one day the fate of empires.

22. Fortune seized at the right moment gives victory.

23. As long as the enemy fights he must be beaten relentlessly, but a defeated enemy and especially the civilian population must be treated generously.

24. To surprise the enemy is to defeat him.

25. Judgment of eye, speed and attack are the basis of victory.

26. Money is expensive during the war. Human life is more expensive. And time is the most expensive.

27. Alive. In health. Serving. Suvorov.

28. Alexander V. Suvorov: Russian Field Marshal, 1729-1800

29. Speed, Assessment, and Hitting Power: Suvorov's Art of Victory

30. Suvorov military musum in St Petersburg

31. Suvorov's home and family

1. There is nobody more terrible than the desperate.

2. A hard drill makes an easy battle.

3. He who is afraid is half beaten.

4. What is difficult in training will become easy in a battle