Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
Generally in war the best policy is to take a state intact; to ruin it is inferior to this.
Interpretation
What this quote means
In warfare, it is wiser to maintain the integrity of a state rather than to destroy it.
This quote by Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of preserving the strength and resources of a state in war. Instead of focusing on total destruction, which can be counterproductive, the strategy should aim at gaining control while allowing the state to remain functional, ultimately leading to better outcomes in governance and resource management after the conflict.
Themes
WarStrategyPreservationIntegrityPolicy
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about military strategy at a conference.
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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