Who said “The will to conquer is the first condition of victory.”?

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Ferdinand Foch. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Book of Positive Quotations (2007) by John Cook, Steve Deger, and Leslie Ann Gibson, p. 370

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“The will to conquer is the first condition of victory.”
— Ferdinand Foch
VerifiedThe Book of Positive Quotations (2007) by John Cook, Steve Deger, and Leslie Ann Gibson, p. 370 · evidenceVictory
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Book of Positive Quotations (2007) by John Cook, Steve Deger, and Leslie Ann Gibson, p. 370.

APA

Foch, F. (n.d.). The will to conquer is the first condition of victory. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/41315-the-will-to-conquer-is-the-first-condition/

MLA

Foch, Ferdinand. “The will to conquer is the first condition of victory.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/41315-the-will-to-conquer-is-the-first-condition/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Foch, Ferdinand. “The will to conquer is the first condition of victory.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/41315-the-will-to-conquer-is-the-first-condition/.

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“A lost battle is a battle one thinks one has lost.”
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“My center is giving way, my right is in retreat; situation excellent. I shall attack.”
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