Chance Quote by Carl von Clausewitz
“This tremendous friction which cannot, as in mechanics, be reduced to a few points, is everywhere in contact with chance, and brings about effects that cannot be measured just because they are largely due to chance.”
About This Quote
Source Book: On War, Carl von Clausewitz, 1832
Complex interactions between chance and friction create unpredictable outcomes that cannot be fully quantified.
In simple terms: Chance and friction make outcomes unpredictable.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty and adapt strategies.
Themes
uncertainty
complexity
strategy
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
strategic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- military planning
- business risk management
- project coordination
- policy making
Key Concepts
systems theory
probability
chaos theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you build resilience against unpredictable factors?
- What methods help measure indirect effects of chance?
A Different Perspective
Random events can dominate despite careful analysis.
![“What I am anxious to do is to get the best bill possible with the least amount of friction… I wish to avoid [splitting our party]. I shall do all in my power to retain the corporation tax as it is now and also force a reduction of the [tariff] schedules. It is only when all other efforts fail that…” quote by William Howard Taft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07b/william-howard-taft-3006_amount_what-i-am-anxious-to-do-is-to-get-the-be_41279.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)
