Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote advises one to provide an opportunity for adversaries to retreat gracefully rather than forcing them into a corner.
Sun Tzu's quote emphasizes the importance of strategy and diplomacy in conflict. By allowing your opponent the option to withdraw without humiliation, you not only showcase your strength and control but also increase the chances of avoiding unnecessary bloodshed and fostering future relations. It highlights the wisdom of showing mercy and understanding in competitive situations, highlighting that true strength often lies in restraint rather than aggression.
Themes
StrategyConflictRetreatMercyWisdomDiplomacy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a negotiation meeting to emphasize the importance of giving both parties an exit strategy.
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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