Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
You probably already know this quote, but never realized that it was written so long ago. Actually it is one of Sun Tzu's most important instructions. He focuses on fooling the enemy by outwitting them before combat is ever even necessary. This seems like a very good way of fooling an enemy who does not even realize that you are looking at him as one.
It is important to keep your friends close, because you trust them, like them and care about them. It is tempting to announce to all and sundry - including your enemies - who your enemies actually are; to issue a challenge, to state a feeling of rivalry, to give oneself away. This is to warn the enemy that you are strategizing against them and immediately takes away one of the key advantages that you have, which is the element of surprise
Notorious warriors win first, and then go to war.
This is another reference to the importance of strategizing the take down of your enemy without being seen to be at war, which means that the war is won before it even start. Know how the enemy thinks, and acts. Study what they have done in the past, as this will be a strong predictor of what they will do, or not do, in the future. Become friends with their strategizer and then find out all you can about their strategy. What this quote has in common with Sun Tzu's others is the emphasis it places on the importance of strategy and thinking, because without using this the war cannot be won. However, strong thinking, strategizing and planning will enable you to beat the opponent before they even realize that they are involved in a war with you.
Can you imagine what i would do if I could do all I can?
The average human uses only thirty per cent of their potential during their life time. This rather discouraging statistic is at the heart of Sun Tzu's statement hear. If he seems accomplished when he has not done all that he can, imagine how accomplished he would be if he actually did fulfill his potential. The same applies to all of us.
With this statement Sun Tzu is trying to motivate, and to show that there is really no limit to what can be won and achieved if one actually does everything one can, not just a percentage of that. It is an exhortation to open oneself to maximum effort and to harness the power to be or do more that we all have but generally do not use.
