Carl von Clausewitz

In the whole range of human activities, war most closely resembles a game of cards.

— Carl von Clausewitz

Criticism exists only to recognize the truth, not to act as judge.

— Carl von Clausewitz

A certain grasp of military affairs is vital for those in charge of general policy.

— Carl von Clausewitz

Courage, above all things, is the first quality of a warrior.

— Carl von Clausewitz

It is even better to act quickly and err than to hesitate until the time of action is past.

— Carl von Clausewitz

Never forget that no military leader has ever become great without audacity.

— Carl von Clausewitz

War therefore is an act of violence to compel our opponent to fulfill our will.

— Carl von Clausewitz

[...] to introduce into the philosophy of war itself a principle of moderation would be an absurdity

— Carl von Clausewitz

Politics is the womb in which war develops - where its outlines already exist in their hidden rudimentary form, like the characteristics…

— Carl von Clausewitz

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

The only situation a commander can know fully is his own: his opponent's he can know only from unreliable intelligence.

— Carl von Clausewitz

The bloody solution of the crisis, the effort for the destruction of the enemy's forces, is the first-born son of war.

— Carl von Clausewitz

The political object is the goal, war is the means of reaching it, and the means can never be considered in isolation…

— Carl von Clausewitz

The more a general is accustomed to place heavy demands on his soldiers, the more he can depend on their response.

— Carl von Clausewitz

“casualty reports on either side are never accurate, seldom truthful, and in most cases deliberately falsified.”

— Carl von Clausewitz

In war, while everything is simple, even the simplest thing is difficult. Difficulties accumulate and produce frictions which no one can comprehend…

— Carl von Clausewitz

“Pity the theory which sets itself in opposition to the mind! It cannot repair this contradiction by any humility, and the humbler…

— Carl Von Clausewitz

I shall proceed from the simple to the complex. But in war more than in any other subject we must begin by…

— Carl von Clausewitz

As each man's strength gives out, as it no longer responds to his will, the inertia of the whole gradually comes to…

— Carl von Clausewitz

The more physical the activity, the less the difficulties will be. The more the activity becomes intellectual and turns into motives which…

— Carl von Clausewitz

Architects and painters know precisely what they are about as long as they deal with material phenomena… But when they come to…

— Carl von Clausewitz

We repeat again: strength of character does not consist solely in having powerful feelings, but in maintaining one’s balance in spite of…

— Carl von Clausewitz

“But everything takes a different shape when we pass from abstractions to reality. In the former, everything must be subject to optimism,…

— Carl von Clausewitz

This tremendous friction which cannot, as in mechanics, be reduced to a few points, is everywhere in contact with chance, and brings…

— Carl von Clausewitz

Many intelligence reports in war are contradictory; even more are false, and most are uncertain.

— Carl von Clausewitz

Talent and genius operate outside the rules, and theory conflicts with practice.

— Carl von Clausewitz

There are times when the utmost daring is the height of wisdom.

— Carl von Clausewitz

“War is simply the continuation of politics by other means”

— Carl von Clausewitz

In war the will is directed at an animate object that reacts.

— Carl von Clausewitz

If you entrench yourself behind strong fortifications, you compel the enemy seek a solution elsewhere.

— Carl von Clausewitz

War is the domain of physical exertion and suffering.

— Carl von Clausewitz

Everything in strategy is very simple, but that does not mean everything is very easy.

— Carl von Clausewitz

Whoever does great things with small means has successfully reached the goal.

— Carl von Clausewitz

The art of war in its highest point of view is policy.

— Carl von Clausewitz

“War is merely the continuation of politics by other means”

— Carl von Clausewitz

No campaign plan survives first contact with the enemy

— Carl von Clausewitz

In war more than anywhere else, things do not turn out as we expect.

— Carl von Clausewitz

The side that feels the lesser urge for peace will naturally get the better bargain.

— Carl von Clausewitz

War is an act of violence pushed to its utmost bounds.

— Carl von Clausewitz

The conqueror is always a lover of peace; he would prefer to take over our country unopposed.

— Carl von Clausewitz