War and Peace (1967) – Series Quotes [Season 1, Episode 3]

— I saw in the same announcement... Bolkonsky is in the army again. What do you think? Will he ever forgive me? Will he always feel bitter towards me? What do you think? What do you think?
— I think... he has nothing to forgive you for.

Yes, but if I had it in my power, I would do one thing. I would take no prisoners. The French destroyed my home and mean to destroy Moscow. They have insulted me and continue to insult me every second. They are my enemies. They are criminals. Timokhin thinks as I do. The whole army too. We must punish them. They plunder and kill our children. How can we talk about rules of war and mercy? We must take no prisoners, but kill and be prepared to die. War is not about decency. It is the lowest thing men stoop to. One must realize this and not make a game out of war. War is a dreadful necessity. Cast off the lies and see war as war. It is no game.

Advisers, advisers... There are always plenty of advisers. But not enough real men. Everything moves too fast. Nothing is accomplished in haste. It is easy to take a fortress but hard to win a campaign. That requires patience and time.

— Success does not depend on positions or weapons nor even the number of men.
— Then on what?
— It depends on the feeling within me, within him, within every soldier. Why did we lose at Austerlitz? Positions? Nonsense. That's not the point. We had no right to be there. We were in a hurry to leave the battlefield. What will happen to us tomorrow? To me, tomorrow will be simple. 100,000 Russian soldiers and 100,000 French soldiers will meet in combat. Those 200,000 are going to fight. The side that is fiercest and spares itself least is the side that will win. Tomorrow, whatever the circumstances, we are certain to win.