Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
Thus, though I have heard of successful military operations that were clumsy but swift, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success in military operations often requires quick and clever action, rather than just speed or clumsiness.
Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of strategy and cleverness in military operations, suggesting that while swift actions can lead to success, they are most effective when combined with strategic thinking. The quote highlights that cleverness is a key component of successful outcomes, as those who take too long to execute plans may miss opportunities or fail to adapt to changing circumstances.
Themes
StrategyClevernessSuccessMilitaryOperationsTiming
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a leadership seminar to emphasize the importance of strategic thinking over hasty actions.
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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