Summary of the Art of War (Art. III)

Table of contents -- Chapter 1

Art. II -- Art. IV

Article III. Wars of Expediency

Full Text

Mendell and Craighill Translation

The invasion of Silesia by Frederick II., and the war of the Spanish Succession, were wars of expediency.

There are two kinds of wars of expediency: first, where a powerful state undertakes to acquire natural boundaries for commercial and political reasons; secondly, to lessen the power of a dangerous rival or to prevent his aggrandizement. These last are wars of intervention; for a state will rarely singly attack a dangerous rival: it will endeavor to form a coalition for that purpose.

These views belong rather to statesmanship or diplomacy than to war.

Table of contents -- Chapter 1

Art. II -- Art. IV