In 1818 he became a general and was appointed administrative head of the War College. The book was published by his widow c.1832. Clausewitz presents this great theme with war as an instrument which could be used either to overthrow the enemy or to exact from him a limited concession. The 2nd of Clausewitz's. We thus note at the outset the distinction between military aim and political object.
Boldness governed by superior intellect is the mark of a hero.
This kind of boldness does not consist in defying the natural order of things and in crudely offending the laws of probability. Finally, they must always be governed by the general conclusions to be drawn from the nature of war itself. Policy is the guiding intelligence and war only the instrument, and not vice versa. The military point of view must always be subordinated to the political. So long as I have not overthrown my opponent I am bound to fear he may overthrow me.