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
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.
strong military enemy
If you entrench yourself behind strong fortifications, you compel the enemy seek a solution elsewhere.
war age peculiar
Every age has its own kind of war, its own limiting conditions and its own peculiar preconceptions.
peace real war
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.
enemy victory movement
To achieve victory we must mass our forces at the hub of all power & movement. The enemy's 'Center of Gravity'
mean goal doe
Whoever does great things with small means has successfully reached the goal.
war lines campaigns
There is nothing more common than to find considerations of supply affecting the strategic lines of a campaign and a war.
country military lovers
The conqueror is always a lover of peace; he would prefer to take over our country unopposed.
determination expression mind
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.
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.
men thinking able
There are very few men-and they are the exceptions-who are able to think and feel beyond the present moment
war scales total-war
War is nothing but a duel on a larger scale.
war simple friction
Everything in war is very simple. But the simplest thing is difficult.