War is not an exercise of the will directed at an inanimate matter. Carl von Clausewitz More Quotes by Carl von Clausewitz More Quotes From Carl von Clausewitz The enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect plan. Carl von Clausewitz perfect dream enemy The world has a way of undermining complex plans. This is particularly true in fast moving environments. A fast moving environment can evolve more quickly than a complex plan can be adapted to it. By the time you have adapted, the target has changed. Carl von Clausewitz war art moving 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 with the violence of emotion, judgment and principle must still function like a ship’s compass, which records the slightest variations however rough the sea. Carl von Clausewitz powerful sea character To achieve victory we must mass our forces at the hub of all power & movement. The enemy's 'Center of Gravity' Carl von Clausewitz victory movement enemy War is not an independent phenomenon, but the continuation of politics by different means. Carl von Clausewitz independent war mean Kind-hearted people might of course think there was some ingenious way to disarm or defeat an enemy without too much bloodshed, and might imagine this is the true goal of the art of war. Pleasant as it sounds; it is a fallacy that must be exposed: War is such a dangerous business that the mistakes which come from kindness are the very worst. Carl von Clausewitz kindness war art No one starts a war--or rather, no one in his sense ought to do so--without first being clear in his mind what he intends to achieve by the war and how he intends to conduct it. Carl von Clausewitz mind war firsts Tactics is the art of using troops in battle; Carl von Clausewitz winning war art Two qualities are indispensable: first, an intellect that, even in the darkest hour, retains some glimmerings of the inner light which leads to truth; and second, the courage to follow this faint light wherever it may lead. Carl von Clausewitz light courage inspirational Self-reliance is the best defence against the pressures of the moment. Carl von Clausewitz moments self pressure To secure peace is to prepare for war. Carl von Clausewitz preparing-for-war preparation war Knowledge must become capability. Carl von Clausewitz capability The first and most important rule to observe...is to use our entire forces with the utmost energy. The second rule is to concentrate our power as much as possible against that section where the chief blows are to be delivered and to incur disadvantages elsewhere, so that our chances of success may increase at the decisive point. The third rule is never to waste time. Finally, the fourth rule is to follow up our successes with the utmost energy. Only pursuit of the beaten enemy gives the fruits of victory. Carl von Clausewitz blow giving enemy Be audacious and cunning in your plans, firm and persevering in their execution, determined to find a glorious end. Carl von Clausewitz execution perseverance determined Knowing is different from doing and therefore theory must never be used as norms for a standard, but merely as aids to judgment. Carl von Clausewitz judgment different knowing Criticism exists only to recognize the truth, not to act as judge. Carl von Clausewitz criticism judging It is even better to act quickly and err than to hesitate until the time of action is past. Carl von Clausewitz achievement inspirational past What do we mean by the defeat of the enemy? Simply the destruction of his forces, whether by death, injury, or any other means-either completely or enough to make him stop fighting. . . . The complete or partial destruction of the enemy must be regarded as the sole object of all engagements. . . . Direct annihilation of the enemy's forces must always be the dominant consideration. Carl von Clausewitz fighting mean enemy Pursue one great decisive aim with force and determination. Carl von Clausewitz persistence determination military The general unreliability of all information presents a special problem in war: all action takes place, so to speak, in the twilight, which, like fog or moonlight, often tends to make things seem grotesque and larger than they really are. Whatever is hidden from full view in this feeble light has to be guessed at by talent, or simply left to chance. So once again for the lack of objective knowledge, one has to trust to talent or to luck. Carl von Clausewitz fog twilight war
