Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Engaging in conflict from a position of disadvantage may lead to unfavorable outcomes.
This quote by Sun Tzu suggests that in warfare (and by extension, in life), positioning and circumstances play crucial roles in determining the success of actions. If two forces are evenly matched yet separated by distance, the one farthest from the conflict should exercise caution, as provoking a battle could lead to a loss due to lack of advantage in the situation. It serves as a lesson in the importance of strategy and prudence, both on the battlefield and in many other areas of life.
Themes
StrategyWarfareDisadvantagePositionCautionBattle
In practice
Example use cases
A military leader might use this quote to emphasize the importance of strategic positioning in combat.
More from Sun Tzu
All quotes →Great results, can be achieved with small forces.
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To capture an enemies army is better than to destroy it.
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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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