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
knowing different judgment
Knowing is different from doing and therefore theory must never be used as norms for a standard, but merely as aids to judgment.
mean goal doe
Whoever does great things with small means has successfully reached the goal.
enemy victory movement
To achieve victory we must mass our forces at the hub of all power & movement. The enemy's 'Center of Gravity'
military sacrifice giving
If the enemy is to be coerced, you must put him in a situation that is even more unpleasant than the sacrifice you call on him to make. The hardships of the situation must not be merely transient - at least not in appearance. Otherwise, the enemy would not give in, but would wait for things to improve.
war simple friction
Everything in war is very simple. But the simplest thing is difficult.
war age peculiar
Every age has its own kind of war, its own limiting conditions and its own peculiar preconceptions.
war scales total-war
War is nothing but a duel on a larger scale.
strong military enemy
If you entrench yourself behind strong fortifications, you compel the enemy seek a solution elsewhere.
clarity absolute-certainty intellect
Although our intellect always longs for clarity and certainty, our nature often finds uncertainty fascinating.
witty powerful humorous
The backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy.
war twilight data
The great uncertainty of all data in war is because all action, to a certain extent, planned in a mere twilight - like the effect of a fog - gives things exaggerated dimensions and unnatural appearance.
war simple doe
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.
war continuation
War is merely a continuation of politics,
war hatred modern
Modern wars are seldom fought without hatred between nations; this serves more or less as a substitute for hatred between individuals.