Raimondo Montecuccoli

Count Raimondo Montecúccoli

Raimondo, Count of Montecúccoli or Montecucculi (21 February 1608 or 1609 – 16 October 1680) was an Italian military general who also served as general for the Austrians, and was also a prince of the Holy Roman Empire and Neapolitan Duke of Melfi.

Quotes

Memorie (Ed. Colonia, 1704)

• Chi può viver senza mangiare, esca in campagna senza le vittovaglie necessarie.
  • P. 51.
  • Translation: He who can live without eating may safely embark on a campaign without the necessary commissariat.
  • Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 270.

• Qual meraviglia . . . richiesto tal uno delle cose necessarie alia guerra, egli rispondesse, tre esser quelle : Danaro, danaro, danaro!
  • P. 54.
  • Translation: What wonder that a certain person, being asked what were the things necessary for war, should reply that there were three, to wit, money, money and money.
  • Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 309.

• Nissuno stato pubblico può godersi la quieta, nè ribattere l’injurie, nè diffendere le leggi, la religione e la libertà senza arme.
  • P. 55.
  • Translation: No State can enjoy tranquillity, nor repel hostile attacks, nor defend its laws, its religion and its liberty, unless it be armed.
  • Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 370.

• Trattar le cose con molti, risolverle con pochi, o da se solo.
  • P. 83.
  • Translation: Discuss your plans with many, decide on them with few, or by yourself.
  • Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 428.

• L’arte che imita la natura, opera per gradi, e non a salti.
  • P. 344.
  • Translation: Art, which imitates nature, works by steps, and not by leaps.
  • Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 333.

• È la lancia la regina dell’ armi a cavallo.
  • P. 364.
  • Translation: The lance is the queen of cavalry weapons.
  • Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 293.

• L’ozio è somite del vizio, e della virtute negozio.
  • P. 387.
  • Translation: Sloth is the pinnacle of vice, and of virtue, activity.
  • Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 337.