Carl von Clausewitz quotes

Carl von Clausewitz was a Prussian general and influential military theorist best known for his treatise "On War." His work has shaped military strategy, philosophy, and analysis for generations. He remains a central figure in the study of warfare and strategic thought. Here are 95 of his quotes:

Everything in war is very simple. But the simplest thing is difficult. (Carl von Clausewitz)
War is politics by other means. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
The enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect plan. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
War therefore is an act of violence to compel our opponent to fulfill our will. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
Although our intellect always longs for clarity and certainty, our nature often finds uncertainty fascinating. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
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. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
War is regarded as nothing but the continuation of state policy with other means. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
There are times when the utmost daring is the height of wisdom. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
Of all the passions that inspire a man in a battle, none, we have to admit, is so powerful and so constant as the longing for honor and renown. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
In the whole range of human activities, war most closely resembles a game of cards. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
Men are always more inclined to pitch their estimate of the enemy's strength too high than too low, such is human nature. (Carl von Clausewitz)
[...] to introduce into the philosophy of war itself a principle of moderation would be an absurdity. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
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. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
The backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
Boldness governed by superior intellect is the mark of a hero. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
Pursue one great decisive aim with force and determination. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
Blind aggressiveness would destroy the attack itself, not the defense. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
Timidity is the root of prudence in the majority of men. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
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. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
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. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
War is an act of violence pushed to its utmost bounds. (Carl von Clausewitz)
Great things alone can make a great mind, and petty things will make a petty mind unless a man rejects them as completely alien. View quote
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 other means. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
With uncertainty in one scale, courage and self-confidence should be thrown into the other to correct the balance. The greater they are, the greater the margin that can be left for accidents. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz
Beauty cannot be defined by abscissas and ordinates; neither are circles and ellipses created by their geometrical formulas. View quote
Carl von Clausewitz

Carl von Clausewitz

Carl von Clausewitz - Image
Occupation: German General
Born: June 1, 1780
Died: November 16, 1831
Quotes count: 95
Wikipedia: Carl von Clausewitz

Related authors

Sun Tzu - thumbnail
Sun Tzu  127 
Chinese Philosopher
Antoine-Henri Jomini  4 
Writer
Niccolò Machiavelli - thumbnail
Niccolò Machiavelli  208 
Italian Diplomat
Helmuth von Moltke the Elder  6 
 
B. H. Liddell Hart - thumbnail
B. H. Liddell Hart  35 
British Historian
Henri Barbusse  224 
French Novelist
Raymond Aron - thumbnail
Raymond Aron  4 
French Philosopher
Aeschylus - thumbnail
Aeschylus  236 
Greek Poet
Vladimir Lenin - thumbnail
Vladimir Lenin  369 
Russian Politician
Martin Van Creveld - thumbnail
Martin Van Creveld  12 
Israeli Historian