The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can, and keep moving on.

The line distills a pragmatic, offensive-minded approach to strategy: intelligence first (locate the enemy), speed and initiative second (close quickly), decisive force third (strike hard), and relentless operational tempo last (keep moving). Attributed to Grant, it aligns with his Civil War reputation for sustained pressure—especially in 1864–65—where he sought to deny Confederate armies time to recover or maneuver. The quote’s significance lies in its rejection of overly elaborate “theories” of war in favor of clear priorities: information, rapid action, concentration of force, and persistence. It also reflects a broader modern principle that momentum and continuous pressure can be as strategically important as any single battlefield success.