Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack.
Interpretation
The quote highlights that true strength comes from defense while success is found in offense.
Sun Tzu's quote emphasizes the duality of strategy in conflict and life. It suggests that an invincible position is achieved through strong defenses that protect against failure, whereas the potential for victory emerges through proactive and aggressive efforts. This illustrates the balance between caution and ambition in achieving one's goals.
In practice
During a team meeting discussing project strategies.
Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Great results, can be achieved with small forces.
To capture an enemies army is better than to destroy it.
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.
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.
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.
What we know matters but who we are matters more.
Part of us believes the new car is better because it lasts longer. But, in fact, that's the worst thing about the new car. It will stay around to disappoint you, whereas a trip to Europe is over. It evaporates. It has the good sense to go away, and you are left with nothing but a wonderful memory.
The road to ignorance is paved with good editors.
It's amazing how easily people are led to fury and chaos. Unhappy people with guns are not going to make this country great.
You are not creating a new you; you are releasing a hidden you. The process is one of self discovery. The hidden you that wants to emerge is in perfect balance.
Stubborn and ardent clinging to one's opinion is the best proof of stupidity.
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