Carl von Clausewitz

“War is an act of violence intended to compel our opponent to fulfill our will.”

“War is merely the continuation of politics by other means.”

“Everything in war is very simple, but the simplest thing is difficult.”

“War is the realm of uncertainty; three quarters of the factors on which action in war is based are wrapped in a fog of greater or lesser uncertainty.”

“Courage, above all things, is the first quality of a warrior.”

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

“The greatest enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect plan.”

“War is an act of force, and there is no logical limit to the application of that force.”

“War is not an independent thing, but a political instrument.”

“To be practical, any theory must take account of the human factor.”

“If 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.”

“The backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy.”

“Two 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.”

“Kind-hearted people might of course think there was some ingenious way to disarm or defeat an enemy without too much bloodshed... it is a fallacy that must be exposed.”