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Carl Phillip Gottlieb von Clausewitz ( June 1, 1780 - November 16, 1831) was a Prussian military thinker.
His Father was a Prussian Officer and he entered the army at the age of 12. He attained the rank of Major-General in the Prussian Military, and is famous for writing the military strategy book Vom Kriege ( On War), first published in 1832.
Despite his death before quite completing On War, his ideas have been widely influential in military theory . One idea, that actual war includes "friction" which deranges, to a greater or lesser degree, all prior arrangements, has become common currency in other fields as well (i.e. business strategy).
He married Countess Marie von Brühl.
"War is merely the continuation of policy by other means," is perhaps his most oft-quoted point. The idea that war -- violent military action -- is only the "strong arm" of diplomacy, utilized when more peaceful means of persuasion are not sufficient.
"Politics is the womb in which war develops - where its outlines already exist in their hidden rudimentary form, like the characteristics of living creatures in their embryos."
"War is nothing but a duel on a larger scale."
"War is an act of force to compel our enemy to do our will."
"War is such a dangerous business that the mistakes that come from kindness are the very worst."
"In War the result is never final."
"No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy".
"War is very simple, but in War the simplest things become very difficult"
"The Conquerer is always a lover of peace: he would prefer to take over our country unopposed."
"Theory should be study, not doctrine"
"Four elements make up the climate of war, danger, exertion, uncertainty and chance"
See also: Famous military writers
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