Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
To capture an enemies army is better than to destroy it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Capturing an enemy's army offers strategic advantages over destruction.
This quote by Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of strategic leadership and the value of preserving resources in conflict. Rather than annihilating an opposing force, capturing them can provide a significant tactical advantage, allowing for potential alliances or the acquisition of intelligence, ultimately benefiting one's own position in any conflict.
Themes
StrategyLeadershipConflictMilitaryTactics
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be referenced in a military strategy presentation to highlight the importance of preservation in warfare.
More from Sun Tzu
All quotes βGreat results, can be achieved with small forces.
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
As water shapes its flow in accordance with the ground, so an army manages its victory in accordance with the situation of the enemy.
Sun TzuRead
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