Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
To perceive victory when it is known to all is not really skilful... It does not take much strength to lift a hair, it does not take sharp eyes to see the sun and moon, it does not take sharp ears to hear the thunderclap.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True skill lies in the ability to recognize and achieve victory under challenging or unseen circumstances.
Sun Tzu's quote emphasizes that real mastery and skill are demonstrated in situations where the outcome is uncertain or hidden. While anyone can recognize an obvious victory, it requires true discernment and capability to navigate through complex challenges and emerge victorious, akin to lifting a light object or spotting familiar celestial bodies. This highlights the distinction between superficial understanding and deep insight in the context of strategy and achievement.
Themes
WisdomVictorySkillPerceptionStrategy
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on leadership, you can use this quote to highlight the importance of strategic thinking.
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.
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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