Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Sun TzuRead
All wars are won or lost before they are ever fought.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Preparation and strategy determine the outcome of conflict before it even begins.
This quote by Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of preparation and strategic planning in achieving success in any endeavor, particularly in war. It suggests that victory or defeat is often decided long before the actual confrontation, indicating that understanding one's strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of the opponent, is crucial for winning.
Themes
StrategyPreparationWarVictoryPlanning
In practice
Example use cases
In a leadership seminar, to illustrate the importance of strategic planning.
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
Self-absorption in all its forms kills empathy, let alone compassion. When we focus on ourselves, our world contracts as our problems and preoccupations loom large. But when we focus on others, our world expands. Our own problems drift to the periphery of the mind and so seem smaller, and we increase our capacity for connection - or compassionate action.
Daniel GolemanRead
The fool, with all his other faults, has this also, he is always getting ready to live.
EpicurusRead
Keep a little space in your heart for the improbable. You won't regret it.
Elizabeth WarrenRead
He who seldom speaks, and with one calm well-timed word can strike dumb the loquacious, is a genius or a hero.
Johann Kaspar LavaterRead
A poor self-image is the magnifying glass that can transform a trivial mistake or an imperfection into an overwhelming symbol of personal defeat.
David D. BurnsRead
The malice of the wicked was reinforced by the weakness of the virtuous.
Winston ChurchillRead