Arms Quote by Carl von Clausewitz
“Our knowledge of circumstances has increased, but our uncertainty, instead of having diminished, has only increased. The reason of this is, that we do not gain all our experience at once, but by degrees; so our determinations continue to be assailed incessantly by fresh experience; and the mind, if we may use the expression, must always be under arms.”
About This Quote
Source Book: On War by Carl von Clausewitz, 1832
More knowledge brings new questions, so uncertainty grows as we learn gradually and face continual challenges.
In simple terms: Learning more creates more doubts.
Key Takeaway
Embrace ongoing inquiry.
Themes
knowledge
uncertainty
learning
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- academic research
- policy making
- personal development
- strategic planning
Key Concepts
epistemology
incremental insight
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance new information with decision‑making?
- When does uncertainty become a barrier?
A Different Perspective
Complex problems may never be fully resolved, leading to analysis paralysis.
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![“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)
