---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Pursue one great decisive aim with force…"
description: "\"Pursue one great decisive aim with force and determination. The bloody solution of the crisis, the effort for the destruction of the enemy's forces, is..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a14/carl-von-clausewitz-2060_aim_pursue-one-great-decisive-aim-with-force_936627.jpg"
---

#  Pursue one great decisive aim with force and…

![“Pursue one great decisive aim with force and determination. The bloody solution of the crisis, the effort for the destruction of the enemy's forces, is the first-born son of war. Only great and general battles can produce great results. Blood is the price of victory.” quote by Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a14/carl-von-clausewitz-2060_aim_pursue-one-great-decisive-aim-with-force_936627.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a14/carl-von-clausewitz-2060_aim_pursue-one-great-decisive-aim-with-force_936627.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a14/carl-von-clausewitz-2060_aim_pursue-one-great-decisive-aim-with-force_936627.jpg)

> “Pursue one great decisive aim with force and determination. The bloody solution of the crisis, the effort for the destruction of the enemy's forces, is the first-born son of war. Only great and general battles can produce great results. Blood is the price of victory.”

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

War’s decisive battles, achieved through force and sacrifice, are seen as essential for achieving decisive outcomes.

**In simple terms:** Great battles need sacrifice.

Key Takeaway

Accept conflict as part of strategy.

Themes

war strategy conflict leadership

Mood

serious analytical

Type

historical strategic

When to use this quote

- military planning
- political negotiations
- historical analysis

Key Concepts

military theory political power human cost

Questions to Reflect On

- Is force always necessary for victory?
- What are alternatives to bloodshed?

A Different Perspective

Violence may cause unintended suffering.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Aim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aim/) [Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) [Blood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blood/) [Bloody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bloody/) [Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born/) [Crisis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crisis/) [Decisive Aim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decisive-aim-1567424/) [Destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destruction/) [Determination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) [Determination Bloody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination-bloody-1567425/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Great results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-results/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Produce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/produce/) [Pursue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursue/) [Pursue Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursue-great-1567426/) [Results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/results/) [Solutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solutions/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) [Victory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victory/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [War Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war-great-389930/)

## Related quotes

> [Pursue one great decisive aim with force and determination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/pursue-one-great-decisive-aim-with-force-and-determination/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [“With enough determination, any bloody idiot can get up this hill,” Hall observed. “The trick is to get back down alive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/with-enough-determination-any-bloody-idiot-can-get-up-this-hill-hall/)

[Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/)

> [When you pursue great flavor, you also pursue great ecology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-barber/when-you-pursue-great-flavor-you-also-pursue-great-ecology/)

[Dan Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-barber/)

> [“Pursue great things. You are destiny for greatness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/pursue-great-things-you-are-destiny-for-greatness/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [Only great and general battles can produce great results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/only-great-and-general-battles-can-produce-great-results/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [The bloody solution of the crisis, the effort for the destruction of the enemy's forces, is the first-born son of war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/the-bloody-solution-of-the-crisis-the-effort-for-the-destruction-of/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [In Britain and Europe, no event is less forgotten than World War I, or 'The Great War,' as it was called until 1939.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-korda/in-britain-and-europe-no-event-is-less-forgotten-than-world-war-i-or/)

[Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-korda/)

> [A war for a great principle ennobles a nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-pike/a-war-for-a-great-principle-ennobles-a-nation/)

[Albert Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-pike/)

> [“In the words of P.J. O'Rourke, war is a great asshole magnet”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-campbell/in-the-words-of-p-j-o-rourke-war-is-a-great-asshole-magnet/)

[Greg Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-campbell/)

> [Both of my grandfathers fought in the Second World War, and my great-grandfather died at the Somme in the First World War. I never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-riseborough/both-of-my-grandfathers-fought-in-the-second-world-war-and-my-great/)

[Andrea Riseborough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-riseborough/)

> [“We’re the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our Great War’s a spiritual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/we-re-the-middle-children-of-history-man-no-purpose-or-place-we-have/)

[Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/)

> [War is a great destroyer. And human history has arrived at a pivotal moment. We can choose a path built on cooperation, where our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hand/war-is-a-great-destroyer-and-human-history-has-arrived-at-a-pivotal/)

[Judith Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hand/)

> [War is not two great armies meeting in the clash and frenzy of battle. War is a boy being carried on a stretcher, looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/war-is-not-two-great-armies-meeting-in-the-clash-and-frenzy-of-battle/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“ Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't need. We're the middle children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/advertising-has-us-chasing-cars-and-clothes-working-jobs-we-hate-so/)

[Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/)

> [War today is such a more visible thing. We see it on television, on CNN. In 1914, war was a concept. There was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyne/war-today-is-such-a-more-visible-thing-we-see-it-on-television-on-cnn/)

[John Boyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyne/)

## More by Carl von Clausewitz

> [Only great and general battles can produce great results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/only-great-and-general-battles-can-produce-great-results/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [The invention of gunpowder and the constant improvement of firearms are enough in themselves to show that the advance of civilization has done nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/the-invention-of-gunpowder-and-the-constant-improvement-of-firearms/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [Politics is the womb in which war develops.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/politics-is-the-womb-in-which-war-develops/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [ Rather than comparing \[war\] to art we could more accurately compare it to commerce, which is also a conflict of human interests and activities;… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/rather-than-comparing-war-to-art-we-could-more-accurately-compare-it/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [Savage peoples are ruled by passion, civilized peoples by the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/savage-peoples-are-ruled-by-passion-civilized-peoples-by-the-mind/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [After we have thought out everything carefully in advance and have sought and found without prejudice the most plausible plan, we must not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/after-we-have-thought-out-everything-carefully-in-advance-and-have/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [Intelligence alone is not courage, we often see that the most intelligent people are irresolute. Since in the rush of events a man is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/intelligence-alone-is-not-courage-we-often-see-that-the-most/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [The great uncertainty of all data in war is because all action, to a certain extent, planned in a mere twilight - like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/the-great-uncertainty-of-all-data-in-war-is-because-all-action-to-a/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [Self-reliance is the best defence against the pressures of the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/self-reliance-is-the-best-defence-against-the-pressures-of-the-moment/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [War is the realm of uncertainty; three-quarters of the factors on which action in war is based are wrapped in a fog of greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/war-is-the-realm-of-uncertainty-three-quarters-of-the-factors-on/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [We repeat again: strength of character does not consist solely in having powerful feelings, but in maintaining one’s balance in spite of them. Even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/we-repeat-again-strength-of-character-does-not-consist-solely-in/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [There is only one decisive victory: the last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/there-is-only-one-decisive-victory-the-last/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [A conqueror is always a lover of peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/a-conqueror-is-always-a-lover-of-peace/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [War is nothing but a continuation of politics with the admixture of other means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/war-is-nothing-but-a-continuation-of-politics-with-the-admixture-of/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [War is not merely a political act but a real political instrument, a continuation of political intercourse, a carrying out of the same by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/war-is-not-merely-a-political-act-but-a-real-political-instrument-a/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

[Explore all 181 Carl von Clausewitz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

## More Aim quotes

> [If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-aim-at-nothing-you-will-hit-it-every-time/)

[Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/)

> [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/)

[John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/)

> [The Christian man must aim at that complete obedience to God in which life finds its highest happiness, its greatest good, its perfect consummation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barclay/the-christian-man-must-aim-at-that-complete-obedience-to-god-in-which/)

[William Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barclay/)

> [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/)

[Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/)

> [In Bosnia, little children shot in the head by a guy who thinks it's okay to aim his gun at a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-amanpour/in-bosnia-little-children-shot-in-the-head-by-a-guy-who-thinks-it-s/)

[Christiane Amanpour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-amanpour/)

> [Design certainly has a cosmetic, aesthetic aim. It always aims at making things beautiful. But relevance is just as important. I often say, 'If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-behar/design-certainly-has-a-cosmetic-aesthetic-aim-it-always-aims-at/)

[Yves Behar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-behar/)

> [My aim was to make money for the bank. You lose track of the amounts involved when you are engaged in this kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-kerviel/my-aim-was-to-make-money-for-the-bank-you-lose-track-of-the-amounts/)

[Jerome Kerviel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-kerviel/)

> [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/)

[Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/)

> [My main aim has always been to do good quality films with roles that have some substance. With Power and Beauty there were loads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-henstridge/my-main-aim-has-always-been-to-do-good-quality-films-with-roles-that/)

[Natasha Henstridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-henstridge/)

> [ I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback \[in "The Invisible Woman"\]. Ralph \[Fiennes\] was very open to my input,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-watching-rushes-and-playback-in/)

[Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/)

> [My aim is to be counted among the top players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babar-azam/my-aim-is-to-be-counted-among-the-top-players/)

[Babar Azam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babar-azam/)

> [The single aim of my life is that every child is: free to be a child, free to grow and develop, free to eat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-satyarthi/the-single-aim-of-my-life-is-that-every-child-is-free-to-be-a-child/)

[Kailash Satyarthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-satyarthi/)

> [The aim of good prose words is to mean what they say. The aim of good poetical words is to mean what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-aim-of-good-prose-words-is-to-mean-what-they-say-the-aim-of-good/)

[Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/)

> [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/)

[Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/)

> [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/)

[Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/)

[Browse all 3,047 Aim quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aim/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Pursue one great decisive aim with force and determination. The bloody solution of the crisis, the effort for the destruction of the enemy's forces, is the first-born son of war. Only great and general battles can produce great results. Blood is the price of victory.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Carl von Clausewitz"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/pursue-one-great-decisive-aim-with-force-and-determination-the-bloody/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Aim"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/pursue-one-great-decisive-aim-with-force-and-determination-the-bloody/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a14/carl-von-clausewitz-2060_aim_pursue-one-great-decisive-aim-with-force_936627.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a14/carl-von-clausewitz-2060_aim_pursue-one-great-decisive-aim-with-force_936627.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a14/carl-von-clausewitz-2060_aim_pursue-one-great-decisive-aim-with-force_936627.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Pursue one great decisive aim with force and determination. The bloody solution of the crisis, the effort…” — Carl von Clausewitz",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Carl von Clausewitz",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Pursue one great decisive aim with...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/pursue-one-great-decisive-aim-with-force-and-determination-the-bloody/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/pursue-one-great-decisive-aim-with-force-and-determination-the-bloody/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```