Impatience as Operating Tempo

“The word ‘impatience’ recurs often in Ségur’s narrative, and might almost be considered the most constant of all Napoleon’s military, indeed personal, traits. Of those closest to him on this campaign – Berthier, Mortier, Duroc, Caulaincourt, Rapp and Ségur – all mention his great impatience throughout, even when his plans were ahead of schedule.”

“‘If you make war, employ severity and activity; it is the only means by which you make it shorter, and consequently less deplorable for humanity.’51”