Ardant du Picq Quotes

France, Military Personnel
October 19, 1821 – August, 18, 1870.

Charles Jean Jacques Joseph Ardant du Picq was a French Army officer and military theorist of the mid-nineteenth century whose writings, as they were later interpreted by other theorists, had a great effect on French military theory and doctrine.

Also known as Military Theorist, Non-Fiction Writer

A force engaged is out of the hand of its commander.

Ardant du Picq
- Hand
- Force
- Commander
If one does not wish bonds broken, one should make them elastic and thereby strengthen them.

Ardant du Picq
- Make
- Bonds
- Strengthen

The man is the first weapon of battle. Let us study the soldier, for it is he who brings reality to it.

Ardant du Picq
- Reality
- Battle
- Soldier
He, general or mere captain, who employs every one in the storming of a position can be sure of seeing it retaken by an organized counterattack of four men and a corporal.

Ardant du Picq
The instruments of battle are valuable only if one knows how to use them.

Ardant du Picq
- Battle
- Use
- Instruments
Frederick liked to say that three men behind the enemy were worth fifty in front of him.

Ardant du Picq
- Enemy
- Behind
- Front