Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
There is nothing more difficult than tactical maneuvering. The difficult consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain. Thus, to take a long and circuitous route after enticing the enemy out of the way, and though starting after him to contrive to reach the goal before him, shows knowledge of the artifice of deviation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the complexity of strategic thinking and the importance of adapting to challenges.
Sun Tzu highlights that successful strategy is not just about direct approaches, but rather about mastering the art of distraction and deception to overcome adversities. It illustrates how turning misfortune into opportunity requires both skill and foresight in navigating indirect paths to achieve one's objectives.
Themes
StrategyTacticsAdaptationWisdomDeceptionSuccess
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared in a business meeting to emphasize the importance of strategic planning.
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.
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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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