Difficult Quote by Carl von Clausewitz
“Everything in war is very simple. But the simplest thing is difficult.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: On War, Book 1, Chapter 2
War seems simple, yet its execution is fraught with complexity and difficulty.
In simple terms: War is hard despite seeming simple.
Key Takeaway
Prepare for hidden challenges.
Themes
war
complexity
strategy
Mood
strategic
realistic
Type
military
philosophical
When to use this quote
- battle planning
- policy making
- conflict resolution
- leadership training
Key Concepts
military theory
human error
uncertainty
Questions to Reflect On
- What simple assumptions hinder your plans?
- How do you manage unforeseen difficulty?
A Different Perspective
Simplicity can mask deeper obstacles and unpredictable factors.
![“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)
