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About this quote

What does it mean?
Physical tasks are simpler; intellectual and motivational challenges create the most difficulty.
In plain terms
Thinking and convincing people are harder than doing physical work.
What can you take from it?
Focus on managing complexity of motives and intellect.

Where it applies

  • management
  • leadership
  • education

Putting it to work

  • address human factors first
  • simplify complex motives

Questions to consider

  • What makes leadership harder than execution?
  • How do you manage motivation?

Another view

Physical dangers can still be deadly and unpredictable.

More from Karl von Clausewitz

  1. ...talent and genius operate outside the rules, and theory conflicts with practice.

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  2. Great things alone can make a great mind, and petty things will make a petty mind unless a man rejects them as completely alien.

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  3. ...soldierly simplicity of character that has always represented the military at its best. In the higher ranks it is different. The higher a man is placed, the…

    Permalink to quote #25

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