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
The interior joy we feel when we have done a good deed is the nourishment the soul requires.
Albert SchweitzerRead
There are many ways up the mountain and each of us must choose a practice that feels true to our heart.
Jack KornfieldRead
Thus with hir fader for a certeyn space_x000D_ _x000D_ Dwelleth this flour of wyfly pacience,_x000D_ _x000D_ That neither by hir wordes ne hir face_x000D_ _x000D_ Biforn the folk, ne eek in her absence,_x000D_ _x000D_ Ne shewed she that hir was doon offence.
Geoffrey ChaucerRead
If only every man would make proper use of his strength and do his utmost, he need never regret his limited ability.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
I know that no business contract, no order or commercial consideration can ever be worth the happiness of one's home or the peace of one's mind.
Peter MarshallRead
Most writers tend to get worse rather than better. I'm determined to be one that gets better.
Edmund WhiteRead