Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or not he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin.
Interpretation
What this quote means
When leaders act on personal feelings rather than strategy, it can lead to disastrous outcomes.
This quote emphasizes the importance of discipline and strategic thinking in leadership, particularly in military contexts. Sun Tzu warns that when officers act out of anger or personal resentment, without waiting for the commander-in-chief's guidance, they risk jeopardizing the entire mission and ultimately facing ruin. It underscores the need for unity, adherence to authority, and careful consideration in decision-making during critical moments.
Themes
LeadershipStrategyDisciplineDecision-MakingMilitary
In practice
Example use cases
In a leadership seminar discussing the importance of strategic thinking.
More from Sun Tzu
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To capture an enemies army is better than to destroy it.
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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.
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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.
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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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