Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise, for the result is waste of time and general stagnation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success requires a proactive attitude and the willingness to take initiative.
This quote by Sun Tzu emphasizes that mere attempts at achieving goals without a proactive and innovative mindset lead to futility and stagnation. It highlights the importance of cultivating a spirit of enterprise, suggesting that true success comes from being willing to explore new ideas and approaches rather than relying solely on traditional methods or strategies.
Themes
SuccessInitiativeEnterpriseInnovationStrategyStagnation
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a workshop on leadership and innovation.
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
Similar quotes
There is something suspect about our inability to enjoy anything.
Chogyam TrungpaRead
Because truth is exceedingly subtle and serene, the bliss of the Self can manifest only in a mind rendered subtle and steady by assiduous meditation.
Ramana MaharshiRead
There is a strong tendency to get used to and accept very bad things that would be shocking if seen with fresh eyes.
Ray DalioRead
I hate this shallow Americanism which hopes to get rich by credit, to get knowledge by raps on midnight tables, to learn the economy of the mind by phrenology, or skill without study, or mastery without apprenticeship.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead
Perpetual devotion to what a man calls his business is only to be sustained by perpetual neglect of many other things.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
It's not easy to sit and trust that in solitude God will speak to you - not as a magical voice but that God will let you know something gradually over the years. And in that word from God you will find the inner place from which to live your life. Solitude is where spiritual ministry begins. That's where Jesus listened to God. That's where we listen to God.
Henri NouwenRead