If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
The Art of War
The Art of War, Chapter 3: Attack by Stratagem
c. 5th century BC
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Cross Reference
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"He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight."
Humorous"Therefore, the skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible, and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy."
Shocking"Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain."
Strange & Unusual"In war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak."
Strange & Unusual"If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight, even at the ruler's bidding."
Humorous