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Carl von Clausewitz

Carl von Clausewitz Quotes

Military Historian

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Famous Carl von Clausewitz Quotes

“The first and most important rule to observe...is to use our entire forces with the utmost energy. The second rule is to concentrate our power as much as possible against that section where the chief blows are to be delivered and to incur disadvantages elsewhere, so that our chances of success may increase at the decisive point. The third rule is never to waste time. Finally, the fourth rule is to follow up our successes with the utmost energy. Only pursuit of the beaten enemy gives the fruits of victory.”

GivingFirstsMayImportantUseEnergyForceChanceEnemyVictoryWasteThirdsIncreaseFruitBlowPursuitChiefsWasting TimeElsewhereFourthBeatenSectionsDisadvantagesFollow Up
Author:Carl von Clausewitz
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“To discover how much of our resources must be mobilized for war, we must first examine our political aim and that of the enemy. We must gauge the strength and situation of the opposite state. We must gauge the character and abilities of its government and people and do the same in regard to our own. Finally, we must evaluate the political sympathies of other states and the effect the war may have on them.”

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Author:Carl von Clausewitz
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“What do we mean by the defeat of the enemy? Simply the destruction of his forces, whether by death, injury, or any other means-either completely or enough to make him stop fighting. . . . The complete or partial destruction of the enemy must be regarded as the sole object of all engagements. . . . Direct annihilation of the enemy's forces must always be the dominant consideration.”

MeanEnoughFightingForceEnemyObjectsDirectDestructionDefeatInjuryConsiderationEngagementSoleDominantAnnihilation
Book:On War
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“Kind-hearted people might of course think there was some ingenious way to disarm or defeat an enemy without too much bloodshed, and might imagine this is the true goal of the art of war. Pleasant as it sounds; it is a fallacy that must be exposed: War is such a dangerous business that the mistakes which come from kindness are the very worst.”

PeopleThinkingWayKindArtWarMightCoursesSoundGoalMistakeEnemyKindnessToo MuchImagineWorstDangerousDefeatPleasantExposedArt Of WarHeartedFallacyIngeniousBloodshedKind Hearted
Book:On War
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