“Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.”
- 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
Quote
“Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.”
Explanation
In this quote, Sun Tzu explains the importance of deception and misdirection in warfare. A skilled commander in attack is one who creates so many possible threats or diversions that the enemy is unable to identify the real point of focus, leaving them confused and unable to effectively defend. On the other hand, a skilled commander in defense makes it difficult for the enemy to determine where and how to attack, often by appearing weak or vulnerable in one area while preparing a counteroffensive elsewhere. By obscuring the true objective, both offensively and defensively, a commander keeps the enemy guessing and forces them into making mistakes or miscalculations, which can lead to tactical advantage and victory. This strategy of confusion and indirect action allows the commander to control the pace and direction of the conflict without relying solely on direct confrontation.
This principle is widely applicable in business, sports, and political strategy. In business, companies often use branding and product positioning to create confusion in the market, causing competitors to waste resources attacking the wrong products or markets. For example, Tesla used the strategy of offering electric cars in high-end markets before introducing more affordable models, forcing competitors to misjudge their product launch strategies. In sports, a team that can mask its tactics or game plan forces the opponent to waste time and energy trying to predict the wrong strategies, as seen in the deceptive tactics used by football or basketball teams with fake plays or counter-attacks. In politics, leaders often use misinformation or public relations campaigns to obscure their true intentions, making it difficult for adversaries to mount an effective response. Sun Tzu’s principle of creating confusion applies to all these scenarios, as it enables leaders to keep opponents off-balance and acting on inaccurate assumptions.
Historically, commanders have successfully employed this strategy to gain the upper hand in conflict. Napoleon Bonaparte was a master of creating false impressions to mislead his enemies. For example, during the Battle of Austerlitz, he intentionally weakened his right flank to lure the Russian and Austrian forces into attacking it, only to spring a trap and defeat them. Similarly, during the American Revolution, George Washington used misdirection and deception, such as the fake campfires at Valley Forge, to confuse the British about his movements and intentions. Another historical example is the use of feigned retreats during World War II, when the Soviet Union used deceptive tactics to make the Nazi forces overextend themselves, leading to disastrous consequences for the Germans. In all of these cases, the commanders were able to create uncertainty in the enemy’s decision-making process, forcing them into costly errors. Sun Tzu’s emphasis on creating confusion and misdirection remains a timeless strategy for gaining a competitive advantage without direct confrontation.
