--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do not pursue an enemy who simulates…" description: "\"“Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight; do not attack soldiers whose temper is keen.”\" — Sun Tzu" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e0/sun-tzu-283_quote_do-not-pursue-an-enemy-who-simulates-fli_1850453.jpg" --- # Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight; do not attack… ![“Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight; do not attack soldiers whose temper is keen.” quote by Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e0/sun-tzu-283_quote_do-not-pursue-an-enemy-who-simulates-fli_1850453.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e0/sun-tzu-283_quote_do-not-pursue-an-enemy-who-simulates-fli_1850453.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e0/sun-tzu-283_quote_do-not-pursue-an-enemy-who-simulates-fli_1850453.jpg) > ““Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight; do not attack soldiers whose temper is keen.”” [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Avoid confronting enemies who are agile or angry; choose battles wisely. **In simple terms:** Pick battles wisely, avoid volatile foes. Key Takeaway Strategic restraint leads to victory. Themes strategy conflict self‑control Mood cautious strategic Type military advice When to use this quote - military planning - business competition - personal disputes Key Concepts enemy assessment risk management Questions to Reflect On - When is direct action necessary? - How can you assess an opponent’s temperament? A Different Perspective Sometimes confrontation is unavoidable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attack Soldiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attack-soldiers-2423853/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Flight Attack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flight-attack-2423855/) [Pursue Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursue-enemy-2423854/) [Soldiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soldiers/) [Soldiers Temper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soldiers-temper-2423852/) ## Related quotes > [“The captured soldiers should be kindly treated and kept.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-captured-soldiers-should-be-kindly-treated-and-kept/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/regard-your-soldiers-as-your-children-and-they-will-follow-you-into/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-general-who-advances-without-coveting-fame-and-retreats-without-2/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“Soldiers must be first treated in the first instance with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/soldiers-must-be-first-treated-in-the-first-instance-with-humanity/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/when-the-soldiers-stand-leaning-on-their-spears-they-are-faint-from/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [There is a general kind of praying which fails for lack of precision. 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Although everyone can see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-according-to-the-shapes-that-i-lay-the-plans-for-victory-but/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Go into emptiness, strike voids, bypass what he defends hit him where he does not expect you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/go-into-emptiness-strike-voids-bypass-what-he-defends-hit-him-where/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“In a similar way, The Art of War pinpoints anger and greed as fundamental causes of defeat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-a-similar-way-the-art-of-war-pinpoints-anger-and-greed-as/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“The PEOPLE being regarded as the essential part of the State, and FOOD as the people's heaven, is it not right that those in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-people-being-regarded-as-the-essential-part-of-the-state-and-food/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/therefore-the-good-fighter-will-be-terrible-in-his-onset-and-prompt/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. 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