[Olog-hai]

We really don’t have generals, do we.

If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result is victory, then you must not fight, even at the ruler’s bidding.
— The Art Of War, 10:23

Obama had egg on his face when the positive results of the Fallujah surge (which he opposed as senator) were announced. Imagine a general that followed Sun Tzu’s maxim and did not let opportunities slip away, the least of which was to keep the ambassadors in Benghazi safe?

Churchill said to Chamberlain that when faced with a choice between war and dishonor, when one chooses dishonor then the result will still be war.

[JimSEA]

“when faced with a choice between war and dishonor, when one chooses dishonor then the result will still be war. “

War is more likely today than during the Cold War for the very reason you quoted.

[Joe 6-pack]

Excellent quotes - another of my favorites on the same vein...

"Every attempt to make war easy and safe will result in humiliation and disaster."
~William T. Sherman