Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
The true objective of war is peace.
Interpretation
What this quote means
War should ultimately aim for the establishment of peace rather than conflict.
This quote by Sun Tzu emphasizes that the ultimate goal of engaging in war is to achieve a state of peace. It highlights the paradox of conflict, suggesting that despite the hardships and destruction that war brings, its true purpose is to restore order and harmony in society, leading to a lasting peace that benefits all.
Themes
WarPeaceObjectiveConflictSun Tzu
In practice
Example use cases
In a military briefing to emphasize the importance of peace negotiations.
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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