Sun Tzu quote about opportunity from The Art of War - To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
pick facebookpinterest picture source

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
 Sun Tzu, The Art of War (5th century BC). copy citation

edit
Author Sun Tzu
Source The Art of War
Topic opportunity defeat enemy
Date 5th century BC
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by Lionel Giles
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17405/17405-h/17405-h.htm

Context

“If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
IV. TACTICAL DISPOSITIONS
1. Sun Tzu said: The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
2. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
3. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.
4. Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.
source

Meaning and analysis

write a note
report