“All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.”
- 544 BC-496 BC
- Born in China
- Military strategist, military strategist
- Wrote “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu, establishing it as a classic of strategy and tactics
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Quote
“All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.”
Explanation
In this quote, Sun Tzu draws a distinction between tactics and strategy, suggesting that while the immediate actions or maneuvers used in battle (the tactics) are visible to all, the underlying strategy—the deeper, long-term plan that leads to victory—is hidden and often imperceptible to those outside the process. Tactics are the specific decisions made on the battlefield or in the heat of a conflict, such as troop movements or engagement techniques, whereas strategy encompasses the overall vision, the long-term plan that guides those tactical decisions. A successful strategist ensures that the tactics are aligned with a greater purpose, even though the full scope of their strategy is not immediately apparent to others.
In modern settings, this principle applies widely, especially in business, politics, and leadership. For example, the tactics of a business—such as marketing campaigns, product launches, or customer service—are often visible and straightforward. However, the strategic vision that guides those actions, such as Amazon’s long-term goal of creating a customer-centric ecosystem, is not always immediately apparent. Companies that succeed often do so by executing a well-thought-out strategy that others may not fully understand at first, which gradually becomes clear as success accumulates. Elon Musk’s approach to electric cars and space exploration through Tesla and SpaceX demonstrates this, where his long-term strategy was not always visible in the short-term challenges, but his vision guided each tactical move to create groundbreaking successes.
In military history, the difference between tactics and strategy has often made the difference between success and failure. For example, during the Battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon’s tactical brilliance was evident on the battlefield, but it was his broader strategy—deceptively weakening his position to lure the enemy into a vulnerable position—that secured his victory. Similarly, in modern military operations, such as Operation Overlord (D-Day), the tactical movements of the Allied forces were clear, but the strategic planning that made them successful was far more complex, involving deception, coordination, and a larger vision of liberation. The ability to recognize that strategy guides tactics and is not always visible in the immediate moment is essential to understanding true victory.
