QuoteProject
What is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations.
Sun Tzu
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes that the ultimate goal in war is to achieve victory rather than engaging in extended conflicts.

Sun Tzu's quote suggests that in warfare, the primary objective should be to win decisively rather than to drag out conflicts unnecessarily. This reflects a strategic mindset where efficiency and clear goals take precedence over prolonged and potentially costly engagements. A quick and decisive victory is more advantageous than a drawn-out battle that may drain resources and morale.

Themes

WarVictoryStrategyEfficiencyDecisiveness

In practice

Example use cases

During a strategic presentation on military tactics, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of swift victory.

More from Sun Tzu

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

Similar quotes

If life β€” the craving for which is the very essence of our being β€” were possessed of any positive intrinsic value, there would be no such thing as boredom at all: mere existence would satisfy us in itself, and we should want for nothing.
Arthur SchopenhauerRead
I hope for the day when everyone can speak again of God without embarrassment.
Paul TillichRead
All who contribute to the overthrow of religion, or to the ruin of kingdoms and commonwealths, all who are foes to letters and to the arts which confer honour and benefit on the human race (among whom I reckon the impious, the cruel, the ignorant, the indolent, the base and the worthless), are held in infamy and detestation.
Niccolo MachiavelliRead
The word of God hidden in the heart is a stubborn voice to suppress.
Billy GrahamRead
I have always sought to guide the future-but it is very lonely sometimes trying to play God.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.Read
Look at your life in contrast with the magnitude of creation, space and time. Your life becomes insignificant. Ego disappears.
Sri Sri Ravi ShankarRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.