Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Evaluate your circumstances and make decisions that benefit you.
This quote by Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of strategic decision-making in life. It suggests that one should take action only if it leads to a clear advantage, while also acknowledging the value of remaining in a stable position when moving forward could result in loss or disadvantage.
Themes
StrategyDecisionAdvantageActionCircumstances
In practice
Example use cases
A business leader can use this quote when deciding whether to expand into a new market.
More from Sun Tzu
All quotes βGreat results, can be achieved with small forces.
Sun TzuRead
To capture an enemies army is better than to destroy it.
Sun TzuRead
The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.
Sun TzuRead
You can ensure the success of your attacks if you only attack places that are undefended. You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked. Therefore, that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.
Sun TzuRead
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
Sun TzuRead
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Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before.
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