War as a Continuation of Policy by Other Means
Der Krieg ist eine bloße Fortsetzung der Politik mit anderen Mitteln
Definition
Clausewitz’s most-quoted maxim. War is not autonomous; it is a political instrument. The political object determines the character of the war and is its master. A general who fails to understand this treats war as an end in itself and destroys the policy he serves.
Primary Chapters
- Book 1 Ch 1 §24
- Book 8 Ch 6