Rather than comparing [war] to art we could more accurately compare it to commerce, which is also a conflict of human interests… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
War is the realm of uncertainty; three-quarters of the factors on which action in war is based are wrapped in a fog… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
Men are always more inclined to pitch their estimate of the enemy's strength too high than too low, such is human nature. — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
In the whole range of human activities, war most closely resembles a game of cards. — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
[The cause of inaction in war] ... is the imperfection of human perception and judgment which is more pronounced in war than… — 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
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 Copy Share Image
War is the province of chance. in no other sphere of human activity must such a margin be left for this intruder.… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
In war, where imperfect intelligence, the threat of a catastrophe, and the number of accidents are incomparably greater than any other human… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
No other human activity is so continuously or universally bound up with chance. And through the element of chance, guesswork and luck… — Carl von Clausewitz 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 done nothing… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
Rather than comparing [war] to art we could more accurately compare it to commerce, which is also a conflict of human interests and activities;… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
Savage peoples are ruled by passion, civilized peoples by the mind. — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
After we have thought out everything carefully in advance and have sought and found without prejudice the most plausible plan, we must not be… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
Intelligence alone is not courage, we often see that the most intelligent people are irresolute. Since in the rush of events a man is… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
The great uncertainty of all data in war is because all action, to a certain extent, planned in a mere twilight - like the… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
Self-reliance is the best defence against the pressures of the moment. — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
War is the realm of uncertainty; three-quarters of the factors on which action in war is based are wrapped in a fog of greater… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
We repeat again: strength of character does not consist solely in having powerful feelings, but in maintaining one’s balance in spite of them. Even… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image