Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the consequences of neglecting basic needs, emphasizing how deprivation can weaken even the strongest.
Sun Tzu's words remind us that neglecting foundational necessities, such as food and sustenance, can lead to weakness and vulnerability, regardless of one's strength or position. The imagery of soldiers faltering due to hunger serves as a powerful metaphor for the importance of addressing basic needs before engaging in any larger endeavors or conflicts.
Themes
SoldiersStrengthFoodBasic NeedsVulnerability
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker at a leadership conference might use this quote to emphasize the importance of taking care of one's team members.
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.
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.
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