On War (three volumes)

The author of this book personally participated in the Franco-Prussian War and the Franco-Russian War, and accumulated rich combat experience. His thoughts were also greatly influenced by German classical philosophy, which provided him with favorable subjective and objective conditions for studying war theory and writing this book. As a Western...

The following are wonderful sentences or paragraphs selected from Clausewitz's On War (all three volumes), which respectively reflect the author's profound thoughts, unique perspectives, beautiful language, wisdom and creativity. Due to space limitations, some of the contents are listed here by number, and the style and essence of the original book are maintained as much as possible. ### 1. Profound Thoughts1. "War is the continuation of politics, and it is another means to achieve political goals." 2. "War is not only a political act, but also a real political tool. It is the continuation of political exchanges and the realization of political exchanges by another means." 3. "War is nothing more than an important means to solve problems in a country's political life. It can bring stability and prosperity to the country." ### 2. Unique Perspective4. "In war, everything is simple, but the simplest things are difficult." 5. "War is a biological law of paramount importance in human life. It is an indispensable regulator in human society." 6. "War is not only an actual activity, but also a concept. It exists in people's minds." ### 3. Beautiful Language7. "In the ever-changing field of war, various possibilities are endless. It seems to be a creative spiritual field, full of rich and colorful and ever-changing phenomena." 8. "War is like a chameleon, ever-changing, and each time it presents a different form and color." 9. "Strategy is the use of combat to achieve the purpose of war. Strategy must set a goal for the entire military operation that is adapted to the purpose of war." ### 4. The light of wisdom 10. "War is an activity full of contingencies. Its planning and execution are often affected by various unforeseen factors." 11. "Defense is a stronger form of combat, but it is by no means a simple passive wait. Instead, it weakens the enemy through clever arrangements and active actions." 12. "The best strategy is to make the enemy act according to your intentions." ### 5. Creativity 13. "War requires creativity, constant adaptation to new situations, and the creation of new methods and means." 14. "The art of war lies in the flexible application of principles rather than rigid adherence to rules." 15. "Actions in war are like playing an improvised symphony. The rhythm and melody need to be adjusted according to the actual situation and the opponent's reaction." ### (Due to space limitations, the remaining parts are listed in numbered form) 16. "In war, theory should be our guide, not a constraint." 17. "Courage is an indispensable quality in war, but blind courage will only lead to disaster." 18. “Strategic mistakes cannot be made up for by tactical victories.” 19. “In war, the truth is often obscured by the first layer of fog. We need keen insight and calm judgment to reveal it.” 20. “War is a constantly changing and developing process. It requires us to remain vigilant and respond flexibly at all times.” The sentences or paragraphs selected above demonstrate the essence of Clausewitz’s thoughts and language style in On War. These contents are not only of great significance to the military field, but also provide profound insights into understanding and responding to complex challenges in the real world.

Clausewitz: The Creator of On War Carl von Clausewitz (1780-1831) was a German military theorist, best known for his book On War.< His theories and ideas still have a profound impact on military strategy and international relations.

Let's learn about this great military thinker.

Personal Basic Information: Clausewitz was born on June 1, 1780, in Ravensburg, Germany (now part of Poland).< He died on November 16, 1831 at the age of 51.

Education and Career Background: Clausewitz was educated in the Prussian army and later attended the Berlin Military Academy.< He spent most of his career in the Prussian army, participating in the Napoleonic Wars and Prussia's conflicts with Denmark and Austria.

He gradually rose in the military and eventually became a member of the Prussian General Staff.

Writing Career: Clausewitz's writing career began with his military career.< He wrote many papers on war and military strategy, the most famous of which is On War.

This work was published after his death in three volumes, which were compiled by his students and friends based on his lectures and notes.

Style and theme of the work: Clausewitz's work style is rigorous and in-depth, emphasizing the combination of theory and practice.< His main point is that war is a continuation of politics, and the purpose of war is to force the enemy to surrender through force.

He also emphasized the uncertainty and complexity in war, believing that war is a kind of "fog" and "friction".

Personal life: We know little about Clausewitz's personal life.< However, his deep affection for his wife Mary is well known.

Their married life is full of love, and Mary helped to organize and publish his posthumous work "On War" after his death.

Social influence: Clausewitz's "On War" has a profound impact on later generations.< Many authoritative media and experts have highly praised this work.

British military theorist Basil Liddell Hart called it "the Bible of military theory.< " The United States Military Academy also listed "On War" as a must-read book.

Quotation and evaluation: The New York Times once evaluated Clausewitz's theory as "a milestone in the field of military strategy.

" Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger also said: "Clausewitz's On War is one of my favorite books.< It taught me a lot about strategy and diplomacy.

" Latest developments: Although Clausewitz has been dead for nearly two centuries, his theory is still relevant.< In recent years, many scholars and experts have re-examined and interpreted On War, trying to find new ideas to solve modern wars and international conflicts.

Summary: Clausewitz was an outstanding military theorist, and his On War left a valuable legacy for future generations.< His views and theories not only influenced the field of military strategy, but also had a profound impact on international relations and politics.

As readers, we should carefully study and understand Clausewitz's thoughts and draw wisdom from them.