"National armies fight nations, royal armies fight their like, the first obey a mob, always demented and the second a king, generally sane"

This quote by J. F. C. Fuller is a commentary on the differences between nationwide and royal armies. National armies are those that fight for a country, while royal armies are those that defend a king or queen. Fuller recommends that nationwide armies are frequently driven by a mob mentality, which can be "demented" and unreasonable. On the other hand, royal armies are generally led by a single ruler, who is typically more "sane" and level-headed. This quote indicates that national armies are more vulnerable to making rash choices, while royal armies are more likely to make calculated and tactical choices. Ultimately, Fuller is recommending that royal armies are more trusted and reliable than nationwide armies.