Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
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
LeadershipBalancePowerSuccessOrganizationTeamwork
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.
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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