Synopsis
Chapter 3 of Sun Tzu's Art of War, introducing 'supreme excellence is breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting' and 'know yourself, know your enemy.'
Original Text
Sun Tzu said: In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. So, too, it is better to capture an army entire than to destroy it.
Overview
"Strategic Attack" is the most famous chapter of The Art of War, presenting the core principles of Chinese military strategy.
Core Principles
First, supreme excellence is breaking the enemy without fighting. "To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill." The best strategy achieves the maximum result with minimum cost.
Second, the four levels of strategy.
| Rank | Method | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Best | Attack strategy | Frustrate the enemy's plans |
| Next | Attack alliances | Disrupt enemy diplomatic ties |
| Next | Attack the army | Defeat enemy forces in battle |
| Worst | Besiege cities | Siege warfare is the last resort |
Third, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated." This is the most famous quote from the entire book, remaining a cornerstone of strategic thinking.
Famous Quotes
| Quote | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Supreme excellence is breaking the enemy without fighting | Victory achieved without battle |
| Know yourself, know your enemy, never defeated | Understanding both sides guarantees no defeat |
| Attack strategy is the best | The highest form of war is defeating plans |
Modern Application
"Know yourself, know your enemy" is applied in business competitive analysis, market research, and sports strategy.
References
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_War
2.古诗文网: https://www.gushiwen.cn/ - Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/孙子兵法
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