The first principle is that the ultimate substance of enemy strength must be traced back to the fewest possible sources, and ideally to one alone. . . . By constantly seeking out the center of his power, by daring all to win all, will one really defeat the enemy.
—Carl von Clausewitz
It is the nature of power to present a forceful front, to seem menacing and intimidating, strong and decisive. But this outward display is often exaggerated or even downright deceptive, since power does not dare show its weaknesses. And beneath the display is the support on which power rests—its “center of gravity.” The phrase is von Clausewitz’s, who elaborated it as “the hub of all power and movement, on which everything depends.” To attack this center of gravity, to neutralize or destroy it, is the ultimate strategy, for without it the whole structure will collapse. Hitting the enemy’s center of gravity there is the best way to end a conflict definitively and economically. In looking for those centers, it is crucial not to be misled by the intimidating or dazzling exterior, mistaking the outward appearance for what sets it in motion. You will probably have to take several steps, one by one, to uncover this ultimate power source, peeling away layer after layer.
Daily Law: When you look at your rivals, search for the center of gravity that holds the entire structure together. That center can be their wealth, their popularity, a key position, a winning strategy. Hitting them there will inflict disproportionate pain.
The 33 Strategies of War
, Strategy 16: Hit Them Where It Hurts—The Center-of-Gravity Strategy