Carl von Clausewitz Quotes

The enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect plan.

No one starts a war—or rather, no one in his sense ought to do so—without first being clear in his mind what he intends to achieve by the war and how he intends to conduct it.

We repeat again: strength of character does not consist solely in having powerful feelings, but in maintaining one’s balance in spite of them. Even with the violence of emotion, judgment and principle must still function like a ship’s compass, which records the slightest variations however rough the sea.

War is not an independent phenomenon, but the continuation of politics by different means.

To achieve victory we must mass our forces at the hub of all power & movement. The enemy's 'Center of Gravity'

Pursue one great decisive aim with force and determination.

To secure peace is to prepare for war.

Everything in war is very simple. But the simplest thing is difficult.

Although our intellect always longs for clarity and certainty, our nature often finds uncertainty fascinating.

The conqueror is always a lover of peace; he would prefer to take over our country unopposed.