history-card.clausewitz-on-war-v2

War is, therefore, not only chameleon-like in character, because it changes its colour in some degree in each particular case, but it is also, as a whole, in relation to the predominant tendencies which are in it, a wonderful trinity, composed of the original violence of its elements, hatred and animosity, which may be looked upon as blind instinct; of the play of probabilities and chance, which make it a free activity of the soul; and of the subordinate nature of a political instrument, by which it belongs purely to the reason.

3 句话浓缩 trinity (民众/将领/政府),战争哲学命题密度极高。

From this arises the totally different activities, that of the _formation_ and _conduct_ of these single combats in themselves, and the _combination_ of them with one another, with a view to the ultimate object of the War. The first is called _tactics_, the other _strategy_.

8 卷本 (BOOK I-VIII) + 102 小节 + tactics/strategy 二分法,体系化程度极高。

Frederick the Great, during the Seven Years' War, was never strong enough to overthrow the Austrian monarchy; and if he had tried to do so after the fashion of Charles the Twelfth, he would inevitably have had to succumb himself. But after his skilful application of the system of husbanding his resources had shown the powers allied against him, through a seven years' struggle, that the actual expenditure of strength far exceeded what they had at first anticipated, they made peace.

Frederick 七年战争 husbanding resources 案例,史源精确。

By the mere assemblage of armed forces at a particular point, a battle there becomes possible, but does not always take place. Is that possibility now to be regarded as a reality and therefore an effective thing? Certainly, it is so by its results, and these effects, whatever they may be, can never fail.

可能战斗等价实际战斗,deterrence theory 威慑学根源。

Friction in War

very simple in War, but the simplest thing is difficult. These difficulties accumulate and produce a friction which no man can imagine exactly who has not seen War." — 19 世纪初德语-英语学术翻译体,比喻精当 (fog/friction/wet powder),概念清晰。

Moral Forces

e theory of the Art of War does no more in reality than recall these things to remembrance, showing the necessity of allowing to the moral forces their full value, and of always taking them into consideration, by so doing it extends its borders over the region of immaterial forces." — 物理力量 (wooden handle) vs 道德力量 (noble weapon) 二元精当比喻,概念层次多层。

What is War?

ere continuation of policy by other means." — 与 Card 2524 Cicero + Card 2526 Machiavelli + Card 2528 Tacitus + Card 2530 Paine 同框 anchor 链 "战争-政治-共和-革命"。

He served in the campaigns of 1793-94 on the Rhine... In 1801 he entered the Military School at Berlin... he was placed on General Scharnhorst's Staff... 1806 he served as Aide-de-camp to Prince Augustus of Prussia; and being wounded and taken prisoner... Clausewitz, with several other Prussian officers, having entered the Russian service... he assisted in negotiating the famous convention of Tauroggen with York.

Graham 1908 译本成熟,Scharnhorst 学派传承可见,史源精确度极高。