Politics is the womb in which war develops. Carl von Clausewitz More Quotes by Carl von Clausewitz More Quotes From Carl von Clausewitz Strength of character does not consist solely in having powerful feelings, but in maintaining one's balance in spite of them. Carl von Clausewitz powerfulfeelingscharacter War is an act of force, and to the application of that force there is no limit. Each of the adversaries forces the hand of the other, and a reciprocal action results which in theory can have no limit. Carl von Clausewitz limitswarhands Any complex activity, if it is to be carried on with any degree of virtuosity, calls for appropriate gifts of intellect and temperament. If they are outstanding and reveal themselves in exceptional achievements, their possessor is called a 'genius'. Carl von Clausewitz degreesachievementgenius War is nothing but a continuation of politics with the admixture of other means. Carl von Clausewitz politicswarmean Responsibility and danger do not tend to free or stimulate the average person's mind- rather the contrary; but wherever they do liberate an individual's judgement and confidence we can be sure that we are in the presence of exceptional ability. Carl von Clausewitz judgementresponsibilityaverage In war, where imperfect intelligence, the threat of a catastrophe, and the number of accidents are incomparably greater than any other human endeavor, the amount of missed opportunities, so to speak, is therefore bound to be greater. Carl von Clausewitz opportunitynumberswar The majority of people are timid by nature, and that is why they constantly exaggerate danger. all influences on the military leader, therefore, combine to give him a false impression of his opponent's strength, and from this arises a new source of indecision. Carl von Clausewitz militarygivingpeople The Conqueror is always a lover of peace: he would prefer to take over our country unopposed. Carl von Clausewitz loversmilitarycountry Principles and rules are intended to provide a thinking man with a frame of reference. Carl von Clausewitz principlesmenthinking Every age has its own kind of war, its own limiting conditions and its own peculiar preconceptions. Carl von Clausewitz peculiaragewar 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. Carl von Clausewitz determinationexpressionmind Whoever does great things with small means has successfully reached the goal. Carl von Clausewitz goaldoemean If the leader is filled with high ambition and if he pursues his aims with audacity and strength of will, he will reach them in spite of all obstacles. Carl von Clausewitz ambitionmilitaryleadership 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. Carl von Clausewitz maywarart ...as man under pressure tends to give in to physical and intellectual weakness, only great strength of will can lead to the objective. Carl von Clausewitz intellectualgivingmen By 'intelligence' we mean every sort of information about the enemy and his country - the basis, in short, of our own plans and operations. Carl von Clausewitz meancountryenemy The more a leader is in the habit of demanding from his men, the surer he will be that his demands will be answered. Carl von Clausewitz leadermenwar Four elements make up the climate of war: danger, exertion, uncertainty and chance. Carl von Clausewitz four-elementsclimatewar The best strategy is always to be very strong. Carl von Clausewitz very-strongstrategystrong The more physical the activity, the less the difficulties will be. The more the activity becomes intellectual and turns into motives which exercise a determining influence on the commander's will, the more the difficulties will increase. Carl von Clausewitz influenceintellectualexercise
