Autonomous Quote by Carl von Clausewitz
“Obstinacy is a fault of temperament. Stubbornness and intolerance of contradiction result from a special kind of egotism, which elevates above everything else the pleasure of its autonomous intellect, to which others must bow.”
About This Quote
Source Book: On War, Carl von Clausewitz, 1832
Stubbornness stems from ego, blocking openness and collaboration.
In simple terms: Ego fuels stubbornness.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate openness over ego.
Themes
ego
stubbornness
temperament
collaboration
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- negotiations
- policy debates
Key Concepts
psychology of ego
conflict resolution
leadership dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you recognize ego‑driven stubbornness?
- What practices foster humility in decision‑making?
A Different Perspective
Rigid ego can hinder problem solving.
![“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)
