Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Planning and strategy are crucial to achieving success in challenging situations.
This quote by Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation and strategic thinking before undertaking any significant endeavor, especially in the context of leadership and conflict. The contrast between the victorious general's detailed calculations and the losing general's lack of preparation serves as a reminder that success often hinges on careful planning and foresight rather than merely reacting to circumstances as they arise.
Themes
StrategyPreparationLeadershipSuccessPlanning
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the importance of preparation in business meetings.
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
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.
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As water shapes its flow in accordance with the ground, so an army manages its victory in accordance with the situation of the enemy.
Sun TzuRead
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