Carl von Clausewitz
Carl von Clausewitz
Carl Philipp Gottfriedvon Clausewitz was a Prussian general and military theorist who stressed the "moral"and political aspects of war. His most notable work, Vom Kriege, was unfinished at his death. Clausewitz was a realist in many different senses and, while in some respects a romantic, also drew heavily on the rationalist ideas of the European Enlightenment...
NationalityGerman
ProfessionSoldier
Date of Birth1 June 1780
CountryGermany
war real paper
Friction is the only concept that more or less corresponds to the factors that distinguish real war from war on paper. ...
war lying battle
If we consider the actual basis of this information [i.e., intelligence], how unreliable and transient it is, we soon realize that war is a flimsy structure that can easily collapse and bury us in its ruins. ... Many intelligence reports in war are contradictory; even more are false, and most are uncertain. This is true of all intelligence but even more so in the heat of battle, where such reports tend to contradict and cancel each other out. In short, most intelligence is false, and the effect of fear is to multiply lies and inaccuracies.
war people citizens
In 1793 such a force as no one had any conception of made its appearance. War had again suddenly become an affair of the people, and that of a people numbering thirty millions, every one of whom regarded himself as a citizen of the State... By this participation of the people in the war... a whole Nation with its natural weight came into the scale.
cases daring greatest-wisdom
There are cases in which the greatest daring is the greatest wisdom.
war exercise matter
War is not an exercise of the will directed at an inanimate matter.
war military different
War is a conflict of great interests which is settled by bloodshed, and only in that is it different from others.
courage war military
Never forget that no military leader has ever become great without audacity.
military affair certain
A certain grasp of military affairs is vital for those in charge of general policy.
philosophy war would-be
[...] to introduce into the philosophy of war itself a principle of moderation would be an absurdity
peace war limits
War is an act of violence pushed to its utmost limits.
war mean politics
War is nothing but a continuation of politics with the admixture of other means.
determination war military
Pursue one great decisive aim with force and determination. The bloody solution of the crisis, the effort for the destruction of the enemy's forces, is the first-born son of war. Only great and general battles can produce great results. Blood is the price of victory.
war military mind
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.
war men leader
The more a leader is in the habit of demanding from his men, the surer he will be that his demands will be answered.