If the mind is to emerge unscathed from this relentless struggle with the unforeseen, two qualities are indispensable: first, an intellect that, even in the darkest hour, retains some glimmerings of the inner light which leads to truth; and second, the courage to follow this faint light wherever it may lead. Carl Von Clausewitz
About This Quote

“Cultivate an intellect that, even in the darkest hour, retains some glimmerings of the inner light which leads to truth.” “Cultivate the courage to follow this faint light wherever it may lead.” This is also known as “The Will To Know,” or “The Will To Believe.” The first step is always the hardest step. As Gandhi said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

Source: On War: Volume 1

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  1. Our knowledge of circumstances has increased, but our uncertainty, instead of having diminished, has only increased. The reason of this is, that we do not gain all our experience at once, but by degrees; so our determinations continue to be assailed incessantly by fresh experience;...
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  3. War is merely the continuation of politics by other means
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  5. We maintain, on the contrary, that war is simply a continuation of political intercourse, with the addition of other means. We deliberately use the phrase “with the addition of other means” because we also want to make it clear that war in itself does not...
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