When to Strike and When to Wait — The Essays of Montaigne

Montaigne revisits the Battle of Dreux, where critics blamed the Duc de Guise for holding back while the Constable was shattered and taken. Without passion, he says, the aim of every captain and soldier should be general victory, not private rescue when the larger plan requires waiting.

Philopoemen let his routed skirmishers be cut down rather than break formation, then struck the enemy foot when cavalry left them exposed and won. Guise's case resembles that discipline.

Agesilaus chose a frontal charge for honour over the safer rear attack Xenophon favoured, was beaten, then succeeded only after he finally used the flank. Montaigne's lesson is harsh: the move that looks loyal or glorious may lose the war, while the move that looks cold may save it.