BY THIS POINT OF VIEW THEORY BECOMES POSSIBLE, AND CEASES TO BE IN CONTRADICTION TO PRACTICE.
Taking this point of view, there is a possibility afforded of a satisfactory, that is, of a useful, theory of the conduct of War, never coming into opposition with the reality, and it will only depend on rational treatment to bring it so far into harmony with action that between theory and practice there shall no longer be that absurd difference which an unreasonable theory, in defiance of common sense, has often produced, but which, just as often, narrow-mindedness and ignorance have used as a pretext for giving way to their natural incapacity.
29.

THEORY THEREFORE CONSIDERS THE NATURE OF ENDS AND MEANS--ENDS AND MEANS IN TACTICS.
Theory has therefore to consider the nature of the means and ends.
In tactics the means are the disciplined armed forces which are to carry on the contest.

The object is victory.

The precise definition of this conception can be better explained hereafter in the consideration of the combat.

Here we content ourselves by denoting the retirement of the enemy from the field of battle as the sign of victory.