Boldness Quote by Carl von Clausewitz
“Boldness will be at a disadvantage only in an encounter with deliberate caution, which may be considered bold in its own right, and is certainly just as powerful and effective; but such cases are rare.”
About This Quote
Source Book: On War by Carl von Clausewitz, 1832
Boldness is usually advantageous, but when faced with careful caution, which can be equally bold, its edge diminishes, though such situations are uncommon.
In simple terms: Boldness loses edge against careful caution.
Key Takeaway
Balance daring with strategic caution.
Themes
strategy
confidence
risk
warfare
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
strategic
When to use this quote
- battle planning
- negotiations
- competitive sports
- business strategy
Key Concepts
military theory
decision making
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- When does caution become the smarter choice?
- How can you gauge the right mix of boldness and caution?
A Different Perspective
Caution can be as effective as boldness, making the choice context‑dependent.
![“Rather than comparing [war] to art we could more accurately compare it to commerce, which is also a conflict of human interests and activities; and it is still closer to politics, which in turn may be considered as a kind of commerce on a larger scale.” quote by Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c35/carl-von-clausewitz-2060_activity_rather-than-comparing-war-to-art-we-coul_21236.jpg)
