If you entrench yourself behind strong fortifications, you compel the enemy seek a solution elsewhere. Carl von Clausewitz More Quotes by Carl von Clausewitz More Quotes From Carl von Clausewitz Boldness becomes rarer, the higher the rank. Carl von Clausewitz boldnesshigher Boldness will be at a disadvantage only in an encounter with deliberate caution, which may be considered bold in its own right, and is certainly just as powerful and effective; but such cases are rare. Carl von Clausewitz encounterspowerfulmay Every combat is the bloody and destructive measuring of the strength of forces, physical and moral; whoever at the close has the greatest amount of both left is the conqueror. Carl von Clausewitz combatmoralforce In war, while everything is simple, even the simplest thing is difficult. Difficulties accumulate and produce frictions which no one can comprehend who has not seen war. Carl von Clausewitz militarysimplewar [...] to introduce into the philosophy of war itself a principle of moderation would be an absurdity Carl von Clausewitz principlesphilosophywar War is nothing but a duel on a larger scale. Carl von Clausewitz total-warscaleswar Knowledge in war is very simple, being concerned with so few subjects, and only with their final results at that. But this does not make its application easy. Carl von Clausewitz simpledoewar However much pains may be taken to combine the soldier and the citizen in one and the same individual, whatever may be done to nationalize wars, never will it be possible to do away with the professionalism of the business; and if that cannot be done, then those who belong to it will always look upon themselves as a kind of guild, in the regulations, laws, and customs in which the "Spirit of War" finds its expression. It would be very wrong to look down upon this corporate spirit, or esprit de corps, which may and should exist more or less in every Army. Carl von Clausewitz paintakenwar Great things alone can make a great mind, and petty things will make a petty mind unless a man rejects them as completely alien. Carl von Clausewitz aliensmindmen War is merely a continuation of politics. Carl von Clausewitz continuationwar War therefore is an act of violence to compel our opponent to fulfill our will. Carl von Clausewitz opponentsviolencewar We must, therefore, be confident that the general measures we have adopted will produce the results we expect. most important in this connection is the trust which we must have in our lieutenants. consequently, it is important to choose men on whom we can rely and to put aside all other considerations. if we have made appropriate preparations, taking into account all possible misfortunes, so that we shall not be lost immediately if they occur, we must boldly advance into the shadows of uncertainty. Carl von Clausewitz preparationmilitarymen [The cause of inaction in war] ... is the imperfection of human perception and judgment which is more pronounced in war than anywhere else. We hardly know accurately our own situation at any particular moment while the enemy's, which is concealed from us, must be deduced from very little evidence. Carl von Clausewitz imperfectionperceptionwar Savage peoples are ruled by passion, civilized peoples by the mind. The difference lies not in the respective natures of savagery and civilization, but in their attendant circumstances, institutions, and so forth. The difference, therefore, does not operate in every sense, but it does in most of them. Even the most civilized peoples, in short, can be fired with passionate hatred for each other. Carl von Clausewitz passiondifferenceslying Surprise becomes effective when we suddenly face the enemy at one point with far more troops than he expected. This type of numerical superiority is quite distinct from numerical superiority in general: it is the most powerful medium in the art of war. Carl von Clausewitz powerfulwarart Everything in war is very simple, but the simplest thing is difficult. The difficulties accumulate and end by producing a kind of friction that is inconceivable unless one has experienced war. ... Countless minor incidents - the kind you can never really foresee - combine to lower the general level of performance, so that one always falls short of the intended goal. Carl von Clausewitz simplewarfall War is the province of chance. In no sphere of human activity is such a margin to be left for this intruder. It increases the uncertainty of every circumstance, and deranges the course of events. Carl von Clausewitz eventsmilitarywar War is not an exercise of the will directed at an inanimate matter. Carl von Clausewitz inanimate-objectsexercisewar There are times when the utmost daring is the height of wisdom. Carl von Clausewitz daringheight The only situation a commander can know fully is his own: his opponent's he can know only from unreliable intelligence. Carl von Clausewitz opponentssituationknows
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