Carl von Clausewitz (1780-1831) was a Prussian general and military theorist, best known for his treatise „On War“ („Vom Kriege“), which remains one of the most important works on military strategy and theory. His concepts of the „fog of war,“ the importance of moral and political aspects of war, and the idea of war as a continuation of politics by other means have profoundly influenced military thinking.
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War is the continuation of politics by other means.
Carl von ClausewitzAll action takes place, so to speak, in a kind of twilight, which like a fog or moonlight, often tends to make things seem grotesque and larger than they really are.
Carl von ClausewitzI shall proceed from the simple to the complex. But in war more than in any other subject we must begin by looking at the nature of the whole; for here more than elsewhere the part and the whole must always be thought of together.
Carl von ClausewitzWar is the province of danger.
Carl von ClausewitzMany intelligence reports in war are contradictory; even more are false, and most are uncertain.
Carl von ClausewitzNever forget that no military leader has ever become great without audacity.
Carl von ClausewitzPrinciples and rules are intended to provide a thinking man with a frame of reference.
Carl von ClausewitzThe more a general is accustomed to place heavy demands on his soldiers, the more he can depend on their response.
Carl von ClausewitzWar is the domain of physical exertion and suffering.
Carl von ClausewitzIf 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.
Carl von ClausewitzWar is not an independent phenomenon, but the continuation of politics by different means.
Carl von ClausewitzWar is regarded as nothing but the continuation of state policy with other means.
Carl von ClausewitzPolitics is the womb in which war develops.
Carl von ClausewitzAlthough our intellect always longs for clarity and certainty, our nature often finds uncertainty fascinating.
Carl von ClausewitzIt is even better to act quickly and err than to hesitate until the time of action is past.
Carl von ClausewitzTwo 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 ClausewitzTo secure peace is to prepare for war.
Carl von ClausewitzThe political object is the goal, war is the means of reaching it, and the means can never be considered in isolation from their purposes.
Carl von ClausewitzEverything in war is very simple. But the simplest thing is difficult.
Carl von ClausewitzPursue one great decisive aim with force and determination.
Carl von ClausewitzCourage, above all things, is the first quality of a warrior.
Carl von ClausewitzThe backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy.
Carl von ClausewitzA conqueror is always a lover of peace.
Carl von ClausewitzWar 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.
Carl von ClausewitzWar is not an exercise of the will directed at an inanimate matter.
Carl von Clausewitz