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
After we have thought out everything carefully in advance and have sought and found without prejudice the most plausible plan, we must… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
However much pains may be taken to combine the soldier and the citizen in one and the same individual, whatever may be… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
The deduction of effect from cause is often blocked by some insuperable extrinsic obstacle: the true causes may be quite unknown. Nowhere… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
Two qualities are indispensable: first, an intellect that, even in the darkest hour, retains some glimmerings of the inner light which leads… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
Our knowledge of circumstances has increased, but our uncertainty, instead of having diminished, has only increased. The reason of this is, that… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
It is paltry philosophy if in the old-fashioned way one lays down rules and principles in total disregard of moral values .… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
We must evaluate the political sympathies of other states and the effect war may have on them. To assess these things in… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
Boldness will be at a disadvantage only in an encounter with deliberate caution, which may be considered bold in its own right,… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
The first and most important rule to observe...is to use our entire forces with the utmost energy. The second rule is to… — Carl von Clausewitz Copy Share Image
To discover how much of our resources must be mobilized for war, we must first examine our political aim and that of… — 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