Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally; but a power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers and distances, constitutes the test of a great general.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A great general excels in understanding both terrain and the enemy's capabilities.
This quote by Sun Tzu emphasizes that while the physical landscape can aid a soldier in battle, it is the general's ability to assess and manage their adversary, predict outcomes, and navigate challenges that truly defines their greatness. The combination of strategic insight and environmental awareness is crucial for successful leadership in warfare.
Themes
StrategyLeadershipWarfareGeneralshipSun Tzu
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a military leadership seminar to highlight the importance of strategy.
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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