Strategy is the art of making use of time and space. I am less chary of the latter than the former. Space we can recover, lost time never.
Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821) French emperor, military leader
Letter to Baron von Stein, Dammartin le St. Père (7 Jan 1814)
Other translations: "One always has a chance of recovering lost ground, but lost time -- never."
Correct date is January 7th, 1814.
Thanks, yes, that appears to be the correct date (vs. the 14th).