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Named source · c. 5th century BCE

The Art of War — The Nine Situations Quotes by Sun Tzu: Context & Meanings

1 quotation linked to The Art of War — The Nine Situations by or associated with Sun Tzu, with source notes, explanations and related topics.

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Translation

Lionel Giles — Translator · Classical Chinese → English

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1 quotations with source context and meaning

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“Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy’s unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.”

Speed matters when it exploits a temporary opening; the point is timely movement into weakness, not haste without information or purpose.

Source note: The Art of War, Chapter XI “The Nine Situations,” Lionel Giles translation.