If you know your troops can fight, but not that the enemy is unassailable, you have only half the chance to win.
If you know the enemy can be defeated, but not that your own troops are unfit to fight, you also have half the chance.
If both sides are ready for battle, yet you ignore unfavorable terrain, victory is still only half assured.
A master of warfare acts without confusion and adapts endlessly.
Hence the saying: Know the enemy and know yourself, and you will fight without peril. Know heaven and know earth, and your victory will be complete.
Note
Partial knowledge of troops, foes or terrain only yields half chances of victory. Skilled commanders stay clear and flexible. Full victory demands knowing oneself, enemies, weather and land conditions thoroughly.
A great military strategist and thinker in ancient China, who lived in the late Spring and Autumn Period. He authored The Art of War, the world’s earliest and most influential military classic. His strategic thoughts have been widely applied in military, politics and management worldwide.
Half victory
Partial advantage cannot guarantee final success.
Know yourself and the enemy
The core principle of military assessment.
Know heaven and earth
Master natural conditions and terrain for full victory.
知吾卒之可以擊，而不知敵之不可擊，勝之半也；知敵之可擊，而不知吾卒之不可擊，勝之半也。知敵之可擊，知吾卒之可以擊，而不知地形之不可以戰，勝之半也。故知兵者，動而不迷，舉而不窮。故曰：知彼知己，勝乃不殆；知天知地，勝乃可全。
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