Everything in war is very simple, but the simplest thing is difficult. Carl von Clausewitz More Quotes by Carl von Clausewitz More Quotes From Carl von Clausewitz It is paltry philosophy if in the old-fashioned way one lays down rules and principles in total disregard of moral values . As soon as these appear one regards them as exceptions, which gives them a certain scientific status, and thus makes them into rules. Or again one may appeal to genius , which is above all rules; which amounts to admitting that rules are not only made for idiots , but are idiotic in themselves. Carl von Clausewitz principlesgivingphilosophy War is the province of danger. Carl von Clausewitz provincesdangerwar A conqueror is always a lover of peace. Carl von Clausewitz conquerorlovers War should never be thought of as something autonomous, but always as an instrument of policy. Carl von Clausewitz veterans-dayshouldwar Battles decide everything. Carl von Clausewitz battle Friction is the only concept that more or less corresponds to the factors that distinguish real war from war on paper. Carl von Clausewitz realpaperwar Just as some plants bear fruit only if they don't shoot up too high, so in practical arts the leaves and flowers of theory must be pruned and the plant kept close to its proper soil- experience. Carl von Clausewitz soilflowerart Timidity is the root of prudence in the majority of men. Carl von Clausewitz majorityrootsmen A general who allows himself to be decisively defeated in an extended mountain position deserves to be court-martialled. Carl von Clausewitz defeatedcourtmountain The more a general is accustomed to place heavy demands on his soldiers, the more he can depend on their response. Carl von Clausewitz heavydemandsoldier The difficulty of accurate recognition constitutes one of the most serious sources of friction in war, by making things appear entirely different from what one had expected. Carl von Clausewitz differentseriouswar War is the domain of physical exertion and suffering. Carl von Clausewitz domainsufferingwar But the main point is that soldiers, after fighting for some time, are apt to be like burned-out cinders. They have shot off their ammunition, their numbers have been diminished, their strength and their morale are drained, and possibly their courage has vanished as well. As an organic whole, quite apart from their loss in numbers, they are far from being what they were before the action; and thus the amount of reserves spent is an accurate measure on the loss of morale. Carl von Clausewitz fightinglossnumbers Politics is the womb in which war develops. Carl von Clausewitz wombwarpeace What we should admire is the acute fulfillment of the unspoken assumptions, the smooth harmony of the whole activity, which only become evident in the final success. Carl von Clausewitz harmonyassumptionfinals No campaign plan survives first contact with the enemy Carl von Clausewitz campaignsenemyfirsts In war everything is simple, but it's the simple things that are difficult. Carl von Clausewitz simplewarart Modern wars are seldom fought without hatred between nations; this serves more or less as a substitute for hatred between individuals. Carl von Clausewitz modernhatredwar In the whole range of human activities, war most closely resembles a game of cards. Carl von Clausewitz gameswarcards If we read history with an open mind, we cannot fail to conclude that, among all the military virtues, the energetic conduct of war has always contributed most to glory and success. Carl von Clausewitz militarymindwar
