17. Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: (1) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. (2) He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. (3) He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. (4) He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. (5) He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign. Victory lies in the knowledge of these five points.

故知勝有五知可以戰與不可以戰者勝識衆寡之用者勝上下同欲者勝以虞待不虞者勝將能而君不御者勝此五者知勝之道也

Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu is stating that there are five key elements that are essential for victory in battle. These are:

  1. Knowing when to fight and when not to fight. This means having the strategic and tactical ability to choose the right time and place to engage the enemy, and to avoid unnecessary or unwinnable battles.
  2. Knowing how to handle both superior and inferior forces. This means having the ability to adapt to different situations and to overcome challenges, whether facing a stronger or weaker enemy.
  3. Having an army that is united and motivated. This means having a cohesive and disciplined force that is motivated by a common goal and is willing to fight to the end.
  4. Being prepared and waiting for the enemy to be unprepared. This means having the foresight and patience to wait for the right moment to attack, and to exploit the enemy’s weaknesses or mistakes.
  5. Having military capacity and not being hindered by the sovereign. This means having the necessary resources and support to conduct a successful campaign, and not being restricted or hindered by political or other factors.

Overall, victory in battle is dependent on having a deep understanding and mastery of these five points, and using them to outmaneuver and defeat the enemy.

Thus we may know that there are five essentials for success in business: (1) Knowing when to take action and when not. (2) Knowing how to handle both strong and weak competitors. (3) Having a team that is united and motivated. (4) Being prepared and waiting for the competition to be unprepared. (5) Having the necessary resources and support to conduct business. Success lies in mastery of these five points.

Thus we may know that there are five essentials for success in business:

  1. Knowing when to take action and when to hold back. This means having the strategic and tactical ability to make the right decisions at the right time, and to avoid unnecessary or risky ventures.
  2. Knowing how to handle both strong and weak competitors. This means having the ability to adapt to different market conditions and to overcome challenges, whether facing a dominant or struggling rival.
  3. Having a team that is united and motivated. This means having a cohesive and disciplined workforce that is motivated by a common goal and is willing to put in the effort to achieve it.
  4. Being prepared and waiting for the competition to be unprepared. This means having the foresight and patience to wait for the right moment to make a move, and to exploit the competition’s weaknesses or mistakes.
  5. Having the necessary resources and support to conduct a successful business, and not being restricted or hindered by external factors.

Overall, success in business is dependent on having a deep understanding and mastery of these five points, and using them to outmaneuver and defeat the competition.

Previous Quote:

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.

Next Quote:

18. Hence the saying: 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.

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