Act only when advantage exists: do not move, deploy troops, or fight unless there is gain or critical necessity.
By Sun Tzu, from L'Art de la guerre
Key Arguments
- He provides a triad of decision rules subordinating movement, employment, and combat to clear benefit or critical conditions.
- This codifies risk-aversion and cost-benefit discipline in operational decisions.
Source Quotes
17. Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical. 18.
Key Concepts
- Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical.
Context
xii. The Attack by Fire — decision criteria for movement and engagement