Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights that true strength comes from defense while success is found in offense.
Sun Tzu's quote emphasizes the duality of strategy in conflict and life. It suggests that an invincible position is achieved through strong defenses that protect against failure, whereas the potential for victory emerges through proactive and aggressive efforts. This illustrates the balance between caution and ambition in achieving one's goals.
Themes
StrategyDefenseAttackVictoryWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
During a team meeting discussing project strategies.
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
The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.
Albert EinsteinRead
What care I if it be "wild and improbable" and "lacking in literary art"? I refuse to be any longer hampered by such canons of criticism. The one essential thing I demand of a book is that it should interest me. If it does, I forgive it every other fault.
Lucy Maud MontgomeryRead
Think of me as a fellow patient in the same hospital who, having been admitted a little earlier could give some advice.
C. S. LewisRead
Like Jesus, every human being has enough memories in his past to occupy his time and thoughts continually. It is not the remembrance of these incidents but the reliving of them that creates havoc in our souls.
Mother AngelicaRead
My whole goal is to keep my spirit intact. If that doesn't happen, none of this is worth it.
JewelRead
Great persons are able to do great kindnesses.
Miguel De CervantesRead