Carl von Clausewitz Men Quotations

Principles and rules are intended to provide a thinking man with a frame of reference.

Timidity is the root of prudence in the majority of men.

Men are always more inclined to pitch their estimate of the enemy's strength too high than too low, such is human nature.

We must, therefore, be confident that the general measures we have adopted will produce the results we expect. most important in this connection is the trust which we must have in our lieutenants. consequently, it is important to choose men on whom we can rely and to put aside all other considerations. if we have made appropriate preparations, taking into account all possible misfortunes, so that we shall not be lost immediately if they occur, we must boldly advance into the shadows of uncertainty.

Great things alone can make a great mind, and petty things will make a petty mind unless a man rejects them as completely alien.

As each man's strength gives out, as it no longer responds to his will, the inertia of the whole gradually comes to rest on the commander's will alone. The ardor of his spirit must rekindle the flame of purpose in all others; his inward fire must revive their hope.

Close combat, man to man, is plainly to be regarded as the real basis of combat.

There are very few men-and they are the exceptions-who are able to think and feel beyond the present moment

...as man under pressure tends to give in to physical and intellectual weakness, only great strength of will can lead to the objective.

The more a leader is in the habit of demanding from his men, the surer he will be that his demands will be answered.

A general in time of war is constantly bombarded by reports both true and false; by errors arising from fear or negligence or hastiness; by disobedience born of right or wrong interpretations, of ill will; of a proper or mistaken sense of duty; of laziness; or of exhaustion; and by accident that nobody could have foreseen. In short, he is exposed to countless impressions, most of them disturbing, few of them encouraging. ... If a man were to yield to these pressures, he would never complete an operation.

Intelligence alone is not courage, we often see that the most intelligent people are irresolute. Since in the rush of events a man is governed by feelings rather than by thought, the intellect needs to arouse the quality of courage, which then supports and sustains it in action.

Of all the passions that inspire a man in a battle, none, we have to admit, is so powerful and so constant as the longing for honor and reknown.