An excerpt from Clausewitz, On War...
...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 first light wherever it may lead. The first of these qualities is described by the French term coup d'oeil, the second is determination....
...The essential qualities for a general will always be as follows: First, A
high moral courage, capable of great resolutions. Secondly, A physical
courage which takes no account of danger. His scientific or military
acquirements are secondary to the above-mentioned characteristics,
though if great they will be valuable auxiliaries. It is not necessary
that he should be a man of vast erudition. His knowledge may be limited,
but should be thorough, and he should be perfectly grounded in the
principles in the base of the art of war. Next in importance come the
qualities of his personal character. A man who is gallant, just, firm,
upright, capable of esteeming merit in others instead of being jealous
of it, and skillful in making this merit conduce to his own glory, will
always be a good general, and may even pass for a great man.
Unfortunately, the disposition to do justice to merit in others is not
the most common quality....
...Only those general principles and attitudes that result from clear and
deep understanding can provide a comprehensive guide to action. It is to
these that opinions on specific problems should be anchored. The
difficulty is to hold fast to these results in the torrent of events and
new opinions. Often there is a gap between principles and actual events
that cannot always be bridged by a succession of logical deductions.
Then a measure of self-confidence is needed, and a degree of skepticism
is also salutary. Frequently nothing short of an imperative principle
will suffice, which is not part of the immediate thought-process, but
dominates it: that principle is in all doubtful cases to stick to one's
first opinion and to refuse to change unless forced to do so by a clear
conviction. A strong faith in the overriding truth of tested principles
is needed; the vividness of transient impressions must not make us
forget that such truth as they contain is of a lesser stamp. By giving
precedence, in case of doubt, to our earlier convictions, by holding to
them stubbornly, our actions acquire that quality of steadiness and
consistency which is termed strength of character ...
