Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The balance of power between leaders and followers is crucial for success and stability.
This quote by Sun Tzu highlights the importance of equilibrium in power dynamics within an organization or society. It suggests that if leaders (officers) become overly dominant without capable followers (common soldiers), it can lead to a breakdown of structure and authority. Conversely, if the followers are too empowered without strong leadership, chaos and insubordination can ensue. Therefore, effective leadership requires a balance where both leaders and followers can contribute to the overall success.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a leadership seminar to emphasize the importance of balance in leadership roles.
More from Sun Tzu
All quotes →Great results, can be achieved with small forces.
To capture an enemies army is better than to destroy it.
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.
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.
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.
Similar quotes
I think right now we need to look back at the founding values of our country. Rise above partisanship, be less bitter when it comes to important matters that have to be solved.
Be Hard on the issue, Soft on the person.
The President of the United States should strive to be always mindful of the fact that he serves his party best who serves his country best.
When a terrorist attack comes, you will not necessarily know who did it. What you can know is that certain kinds of leaders will use that to suspend your rights.
As a leader, you will never get ahead until your people are behind you.
President Obama has made it his mission that we welcome our troops home with care, and concern, and the respect they deserve. That is how an exceptional nation says "thank you" to its most exceptional men and women.