Carl von Clausewitz Quotes About Uncertainty

Quotes about: Uncertainty

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

  Carl von Clausewitz

  Clarity, Absolute Certainty, Intellect

  Carl von Clausewitz (2008). “On War”, p.86, Princeton University Press

• 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.

  Carl von Clausewitz

  Military, Men, Preparation

  Carl von Clausewitz (2012). “Principles of War”, p.41, Courier Corporation

• With uncertainty in one scale, courage and self-confidence should be thrown into the other to correct the balance. The greater they are, the greater the margin that can be left for accidents.

  Carl von Clausewitz

  Self Confidence, Balance, Should

  Carl von Clausewitz (2008). “On War”, p.86, Princeton University Press

• Lastly, the great uncertainty of all data in War is a peculiar difficulty, because all action must, to a certain extent, be planned in a mere twilight, which in addition not unfrequently — like the effect of a fog or moonshine — gives to things exaggerated dimensions and an unnatural appearance.

  Carl von Clausewitz

  War, Twilight, Data

  "On War".

• War is the province of chance. In no sphere of human activity is such a margin to be left for this intruder. It increases the uncertainty of every circumstance, and deranges the course of events.

  Carl von Clausewitz

  Military, War, Events

  "The Essential Clausewitz: Selections from On War".

• Our knowledge of circumstances has increased, but our uncertainty, instead of having diminished, has only increased. The reason of this is, that we do not gain all our experience at once, but by degrees; so our determinations continue to be assailed incessantly by fresh experience; and the mind, if we may use the expression, must always be under arms.

  Carl von Clausewitz

  Determination, Expression, Mind

  Carl von Clausewitz (2016). “On War: Vom Kriege: fog of war”, p.36, Aegitas

• 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. ... war is the realm of chance. No other human activity gives it greater scope; no other has such incessant and varied dealings with this intruder. Chance makes everything more uncertain and interferes with the whole course of events.

  Carl von Clausewitz

  War, Fog, Giving

  Carl von Clausewitz, Michael Howard, Peter Paret (1989). “On War”, p.101, Princeton University Press

• Four elements make up the climate of war: danger, exertion, uncertainty and chance.

  Carl von Clausewitz

  War, Four Elements, Climate

  Carl von Clausewitz (2008). “On War”, p.104, Princeton University Press

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

  Carl von Clausewitz

  War, Fog, Three

  On War bk. 1, ch. 3 (1832 - 1834).

• facebook
• twitter
• googleplus
• email
• linkedin

• facebook
• twitter
• googleplus
• email
• linkedin