Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Preparation and timing are crucial for success in conflict.
This quote by Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of being prepared and the strategic advantage that comes from being the first to act in a situation. It suggests that those who are ready and waiting for the challenge will be able to approach it with strength and energy, while those who are unprepared or must react hastily may find themselves at a disadvantage.
Themes
PreparationTimingStrategyAdvantageConflict
In practice
Example use cases
During a team meeting, one might reference this quote to highlight the importance of preparation before launching a project.
More from Sun Tzu
All quotes →Great 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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