Only the element of chance is needed to make war a gamble, and that element is never absent. — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
In war everything is simple, but it's the simple things that are difficult. — Carl von Clausewitz Art Copy Share Image
Everything in war is very simple. But the simplest thing is difficult. — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
War is nothing but a continuation of politics with the admixture of other means. — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
War is not an independent phenomenon, but the continuation of politics by different means. — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
Four elements make up the climate of war: danger, exertion, uncertainty and chance. — Carl von Clausewitz Chance Copy Share Image
We shall not enter into any of the abstruse definitions of war used by publicists. We shall keep to the element of… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
A general who allows himself to be decisively defeated in an extended mountain position deserves to be court-martialled. — Carl von Clausewitz Court Copy Share Image
“If we have made appropriate preparations, taking into account all possible misfortunes, so that we shall not be lost immediately if they… — Carl von Clausewitz Doubt Copy Share Image
If the leader is filled with high ambition and if he pursues his aims with audacity and strength of will, he will… — Carl von Clausewitz Ambition Copy Share Image
Friction is the only concept that more or less corresponds to the factors that distinguish real war from war on paper. — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
Where execution is dominant, as it is in the individual events of a war whether great or small, then intellectual factors are… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
War is the province of chance. In no sphere of human activity is such a margin to be left for this intruder.… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
If we read history with an open mind, we cannot fail to conclude that, among all the military virtues, the energetic conduct… — Carl von Clausewitz Energetic Copy Share Image
Surprise becomes effective when we suddenly face the enemy at one point with far more troops than he expected. This type of… — Carl von Clausewitz Art Copy Share Image
In short, absolute, so-called mathematical, factors never find a firm basis in military calculations. From the very start, there is an interplay… — Carl von Clausewitz Absolutes Copy Share Image
What do we mean by the defeat of the enemy? Simply the destruction of his forces, whether by death, injury, or any… — Carl von Clausewitz Annihilation Copy Share Image
The invention of gunpowder and the constant improvement of firearms are enough in themselves to show that the advance of civilization has… — Carl von Clausewitz Civilization Copy Share Image
“If, adhering closely to the absolute, we try to avoid all difficulties by a stroke of the pen, and insist with logical… — Carl von Clausewitz Real world Copy Share Image
Whenever armed forces . . . are used, the idea of combat must be present. . . . The end for which… — Carl von Clausewitz Armed forces Copy Share Image
If we do not learn to regard a war, and the separate campaigns of which it is composed, as a chain of… — Carl von Clausewitz Campaigns Copy Share Image
In 1793 such a force as no one had any conception of made its appearance. War had again suddenly become an affair… — Carl von Clausewitz Affair Copy Share Image
Only great and general battles can produce great results — Carl von Clausewitz Battle Copy Share Image
Savage peoples are ruled by passion, civilized peoples by the mind. — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
“War is such a dangerous business that mistakes that come from kindness are the very worst.” — Carl von Clausewitz Business Copy Share Image
War should never be thought of as something autonomous, but always as an instrument of policy. — Carl von Clausewitz Autonomous Copy Share Image
Every age has its own kind of war, its own limiting conditions and its own peculiar preconceptions. — Carl von Clausewitz Age Copy Share Image
Given the same amount of intelligence, timidity will do a thousand times more damage than audacity — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
In war more than anywhere else, things do not turn out as we expect. — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
War is an act of violence pushed to its utmost bounds. — Carl von Clausewitz Acts of violence Copy Share Image
There are cases in which the greatest daring is the greatest wisdom. — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
The conqueror is always a lover of peace; he would prefer to take over our country unopposed. — Carl von Clausewitz Conqueror Copy Share Image
The side that feels the lesser urge for peace will naturally get the better bargain. — Carl von Clausewitz Bargains Copy Share Image
Timidity is the root of prudence in the majority of men. — Carl von Clausewitz Greatness Copy Share Image
Boldness governed by superior intellect is the mark of a hero. — Carl von Clausewitz Boldness Copy Share Image
All war presupposes human weakness and seeks to exploit it. — Carl von Clausewitz Humans Copy Share Image
In war the will is directed at an animate object that reacts. — Carl von Clausewitz Animate Copy Share Image
There are times when the utmost daring is the height of wisdom. — Carl von Clausewitz Daring Copy Share Image
