Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is about to advance. Violent language and driving forward as if to the attack are signs that he will retreat.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The way an enemy prepares reveals their intentions; subtlety may indicate an advance while aggression suggests a retreat.
This quote by Sun Tzu highlights the importance of understanding one's adversary through their behavior and language. Observing subtle signs in communication and preparations can provide insights into the enemy's intentions, allowing one to make strategic decisions based on their approach—whether they are planning to attack or to retreat.
Themes
StrategyDeceptionWarfarePreparationIntention
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about negotiation tactics, one might use this quote to illustrate the importance of reading the situation.
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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