Anything which we invite to share our great hazards with us must, as far as is feasible, remain under our control: so I would always advise anyone to choose the shortest weapons and those which we can be most answerable for. It is far more likely that we can rely on the sword we hold in our hand than on a bullet which is discharged from a pistol…
When your blow has to travel through the air you are less sure of your aim. “They let the winds decide where their wounds are made. The soldier’s weapon is the blade: the custom of all manly peoples is to make with the sword.” (Lucan)
– Montaigne, On War-Horses