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Carl von Clausewitz

Carl von Clausewitz Quotes

Military Historian

Carl von Clausewitz, born on July 1, 1780, and died on November 16, 1831, was a Prussian military theorist and historian. He is considered one of the founders of modern military theory. Clausewitz's most famous work, 'On War,' has had a profound impact on military strategy and warfare theory to this day.

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All War Military Enemy Ifs Men Mean May Action Force Humans Whole Activity Chance Firsts Uncertainty Art Giving Intellect Kind Mind

Famous Carl von Clausewitz Quotes

“Der Krieg ist nichts als eine Fortsetzung des politischen Verkehrs mit Einmischung anderer Mittel. War is merely the continuation of policy with the admixture of other means.”

Mean War Policy Als Continuation Mit

Author:Carl von Clausewitz

“Whoever does great things with small means has successfully reached the goal.”

Mean Doe Goal Great Things Abundance

Author:Carl von Clausewitz

“Everything in strategy is very simple, but that does not mean everything is very easy.”

Mean Doe Easy Simple Strategy

Book:On War

Source: On War

“By 'intelligence' we mean every sort of information about the enemy and his country - the basis, in short, of our own plans and operations.”

Mean Country Enemy Plans Information Bases Operations

Book:On War

Source: On War

“War is only caused through the political intercourse of governments and nations - war is nothing but a continuation of political intercourse with an admixture of other means.”

Mean War Government Political Nations Intercourse Continuation

Author:Carl von Clausewitz

“War is nothing but a continuation of politics with the admixture of other means.”

Mean War Politics Continuation

Author:Carl von Clausewitz

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

Mean Different War Liberty Independent Libertarian Phenomenon Anti War Antiwar Libertarianism Continuation

Book:On War

Source: On War

“War is regarded as nothing but the continuation of state policy with other means.”

Mean War States Politics Policy Antiwar Continuation

Book:On war: Translated from the German by O.J. Matthijs Jolles

Source: On war: Translated from the German by O.J. Matthijs Jolles

“The political object is the goal, war is the means of reaching it, and the means can never be considered in isolation form their purposes.”

Mean War Form Political Purpose Peace Goal Objects Isolation Reaching

Author:Carl von Clausewitz

“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.”

Mean War Real Political Peace Instruments Intercourse Continuation

Book:On war: Translated from the German by O.J. Matthijs Jolles

Source: On war: Translated from the German by O.J. Matthijs Jolles

“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.”

Mean Enough Fighting Force Enemy Objects Direct Destruction Defeat Injury Consideration Engagement Sole Dominant Annihilation

Book:On War

Source: On War

“War is politics by other means.”

Author:Carl von Clausewitz

About the Author

Born: July 1, 1780
Died: November 16, 1831
Known for: Military Historian
Quotes: 168

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War Military Enemy Ifs Men Mean May Action Force Humans Whole Activity Chance Firsts Uncertainty Art Giving Intellect Kind Mind

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Books & Sources

On WarRelated source material

On War: Vom Kriege: fog of warRelated source material

Principles of WarRelated source material

On war: Translated from the German by O.J. Matthijs JollesRelated source material

Strategy Six PackRelated source material

Carl von Clausewitz: Historical and Political WritingsRelated source material

Essential On War for Business: The Classic Work by Carl von Clausewitz for Business TodayRelated source material

On Victory and Defeat: FromRelated source material

On War: Volume 1Related source material

Roots of Strategy: 3 Military ClassicsRelated source material

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