The more powerful and inspiring the motives for war ...the closer will war approach its abstract concept...The less intense the motives, the less will the military element's natural tendency to violence coincide with political directives.

More from Carl von Clausewitz

• Defense is the stronger form of waging war.
• The activities characteristic of war may be split into two main categories: those that are merely preparations for war, and war proper.
• Theory becomes infinitely more difficult as soon as it touches the realm of moral values.
• War is not a mere act of policy but a true political instrument, a continuation of political activity by other means.
• What do we mean by the defeat of the enemy? Simply the destruction of his forces, whether by death, injury, or any other means — either completely or enough to make him stop fighting.