Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
All warfare is based on deception. Therefore, when capable, feign incapacity; when active, inactivity. When near, make it appear that you are far away; when far away, that you are to lure him; feign disorder and strike him. When he concentrates, prepare against him; where he is strong, avoid him. Anger his general and confuse him. Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of strategy and manipulation in warfare.
Sun Tzu's quote highlights the fundamental role of deception in military strategy. It suggests that one must be cunning and adaptable, deceiving the enemy about one's own strengths and weaknesses while misleading them to create an advantageous position for oneself. This principle not only applies to warfare but can also be interpreted in broader contexts such as competition and negotiation.
Themes
WarfareDeceptionStrategyManipulationConflict
In practice
Example use cases
During a negotiation, one might use this quote to emphasize the need for strategic communication.
More from Sun Tzu
All quotes βGreat results, can be achieved with small forces.
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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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