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About this quote

What does it mean?
The party less desperate for peace holds more leverage in negotiations.
In plain terms
Whoever wants peace less gets a better deal.
What can you take from it?
Desperation weakens your negotiating position.

Where it applies

  • business talks
  • diplomacy
  • disputes

Putting it to work

  • manage urgency
  • prepare alternatives
  • stay calm

Questions to consider

  • What does your urgency signal?
  • How can you reduce dependency?

Another view

Sometimes peace is needed regardless of leverage.

More from Karl von Clausewitz

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  2. Blind aggressiveness would destroy the attack itself, not the defense.

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  3. Although our intellect always longs for clarity and certainty, our nature often finds uncertainty fascinating.

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