Restlessness and distrust within the army invite external interference and squander victory.

By Sun Tzu, from L'Art de la guerre

Key Arguments

  • He warns that internal disorder encourages trouble from other feudal princes and equates it to bringing anarchy and discarding victory.

Source Quotes

16. But when the army is restless and distrustful, trouble is sure to come from the other feudal princes. This is simply bringing anarchy into the army, and flinging victory away.
But when the army is restless and distrustful, trouble is sure to come from the other feudal princes. This is simply bringing anarchy into the army, and flinging victory away. 17.

Key Concepts

  • But when the army is restless and distrustful, trouble is sure to come from the other feudal princes.
  • This is simply bringing anarchy into the army, and flinging victory away.

Context

iii. Attack by Stratagem (lines 177–227)