Contradictory Quote by Carl von Clausewitz
“Many intelligence reports in war are contradictory; even more are false, and most are uncertain.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: On War, 1832
War intelligence is often conflicting, false, or uncertain, making reliable knowledge scarce.
In simple terms: War intel is unreliable.
Key Takeaway
Verify information before acting.
Themes
war
intelligence
uncertainty
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
strategic
practical
When to use this quote
- military planning
- policy making
- journalism
- risk management
Key Concepts
strategic analysis
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess source credibility?
- What safeguards reduce misinformation?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on flawed intel can be disastrous.
![“If we consider the actual basis of this information [i.e., intelligence], how unreliable and transient it is, we soon realize that war is a flimsy structure that can easily collapse and bury us in its ruins. ... Many intelligence reports in war are contradictory; even more are false, and most are…” quote by Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1c6/carl-von-clausewitz-2060_bases_if-we-consider-the-actual-basis-of-this_1315760.jpg)
![“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)
![“The typical white intellectual considers himself superior to ordinary white people for two contradictory reasons: a] he constantly proclaims belief in human equality, but they don't; b] he has a high IQ, but they don't.” quote by Steve Sailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/850/steve-sailer-33384_belief_the-typical-white-intellectual-considers_81076.jpg)
