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About this quote

What does it mean?
Actions taken under high tension have more impact than those in calm equilibrium.
In plain terms
High stress makes actions more powerful.
What can you take from it?
Timing during tension amplifies results.

Where it applies

  • crisis
  • negotiation
  • decision making

Putting it to work

  • watch for tension
  • act decisively
  • measure impact

Questions to consider

  • When is tension useful?
  • How do you time actions?

Another view

Calm moments allow for careful planning too.

More from Karl von Clausewitz

  1. If a segment of one's force is located where it is not sufficiently busy with the enemy, ot if the troops are on the march - that is, idle - while the enemy is…

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  2. The state of crisis is the real war; the equilibrium is nothing but its reflex.

    Permalink to quote #50
  3. Beauty cannot be defined by abscissas and ordinates; neither are circles and ellipses created by their geometrical formulas.

    Permalink to quote #47

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