“Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.”
- 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
“Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.”
Explanation
In this quote, Sun Tzu underscores the principle that true victory is often secured before the battle begins. The victorious strategist prepares thoroughly, ensuring that they have already positioned themselves for success—through careful planning, intelligence, and understanding of the enemy’s weaknesses—so that when battle is engaged, the outcome is already determined. In contrast, a commander who is destined for defeat rushes into battle without sufficient preparation, hoping to find a path to victory during the conflict itself. This often results in inefficiency and failure, as they have not taken the necessary steps to secure a favorable position beforehand.
This concept applies across a range of fields, especially in business and political strategy. Companies that prepare thoroughly, understanding market trends, customer needs, and competitor weaknesses, are more likely to succeed when they launch a product or service. For instance, Amazon didn’t just rush into online retail; it created a robust infrastructure, researched consumer behavior, and developed a customer-first strategy, ensuring their victory long before competing companies like Borders or Barnes & Noble were forced to adapt to the changing landscape. Similarly, in politics, successful leaders understand the importance of planning and positioning, often ensuring that their policies and alliances are in place before engaging in difficult negotiations or conflicts.
In military strategy, Sun Tzu’s principle is evident in the careful preparation and calculation of battles. The Battle of Cannae (216 BCE), where Hannibal decisively defeated a much larger Roman force, showcases the idea of preparing a victory before the fight. Hannibal’s army was already in an advantageous position due to his superior tactics, and when the Romans walked into his trap, the victory was essentially won before the first blow was struck. This approach is just as relevant in modern warfare, where intelligence, logistics, and coordinated strategy often ensure success before the battle itself, as seen in Operation Desert Storm, where the U.S.-led coalition was thoroughly prepared and had already won the strategic advantage before the military conflict escalated.
