--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is only one who is thoroughly…" description: "\"It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.\" — Sun Tzu" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/sun-tzu-283_evil_it-is-only-one-who-is-thoroughly-acquain_2066085.jpg" --- # It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils… ![“It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.” quote by Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/sun-tzu-283_evil_it-is-only-one-who-is-thoroughly-acquain_2066085.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/sun-tzu-283_evil_it-is-only-one-who-is-thoroughly-acquain_2066085.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/sun-tzu-283_evil_it-is-only-one-who-is-thoroughly-acquain_2066085.jpg) > “It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.” [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. Only those who have experienced war's horrors can grasp how to conduct it profitably. **In simple terms:** War experience teaches its own strategy. Key Takeaway Learn from history before planning conflict. Themes war strategy experience Mood serious reflective Type philosophical historical When to use this quote - policy making - military training - peace negotiations Key Concepts military theory ethical paradox historical insight Questions to Reflect On - What ethical limits should guide wartime decisions? - Can profit ever outweigh human cost? A Different Perspective War's profit motive is morally troubling and may be justified. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acquainted Evils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquainted-evils-3965855/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Evils of war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evils-of-war-58467/) [Evils War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evils-war-396734/) [Thoroughly Acquainted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoroughly-acquainted-1600389/) [Understand Profitable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understand-profitable-3965854/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [War Thoroughly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war-thoroughly-3965853/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/who-does-not-know-the-evils-of-war-cannot-appreciate-its-benefits/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Of all evils of war the greatest is the purely spiritual evil: the hatred, the injustice, the repudiation of truth, the artificial conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/of-all-evils-of-war-the-greatest-is-the-purely-spiritual-evil-the/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [The evils of war are great in their endurance, and have a long reckoning for ages to come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-evils-of-war-are-great-in-their-endurance-and-have-a-long/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When the average man becomes thoroughly acquainted with himself, he ceases to wonder why has so few friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-the-average-man-becomes-thoroughly-acquainted-with-himself-he/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/rely-not-on-the-likelihood-of-the-enemy-s-not-coming-but-on-our-own/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [In love there are two evils: war and peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-love-there-are-two-evils-war-and-peace/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Believing that the happiness of mankind is best promoted by the useful pursuits of peace, that on these alone a stable prosperity can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-that-the-happiness-of-mankind-is-best-promoted-by-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The chief evil of war is more evil. War is the concentration of all human crimes. Here is its distinguishing, accursed brand. Under its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ellery-channing/the-chief-evil-of-war-is-more-evil-war-is-the-concentration-of-all/) [William Ellery Channing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ellery-channing/) > [“By far the easiest grounds for gaining conscientious objector status in wartime are religious. You can be a brilliant moral philosopher with a prize-winning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/by-far-the-easiest-grounds-for-gaining-conscientious-objector-status/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [It is painful enough to discover with what unconcern they speak of war and threaten it. They do not know its horrors. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/it-is-painful-enough-to-discover-with-what-unconcern-they-speak-of-2/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) ## More by Sun Tzu > [It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-our-forces-are-ten-to-the-enemy-s-one-to/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [It is according to the shapes that I lay the plans for victory, but the multitude does not comprehend this. 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. Thus they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-enemy-s-spies-who-have-come-to-spy-on-us-must-be-sought-out/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“So long as victory can be attained,  stupid haste is preferable to clever dilatoriness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/so-long-as-victory-can-be-attained-stupid-haste-is-preferable-to/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/you-can-ensure-the-safety-of-your-defense-if-you-only-hold-positions/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/hence-when-able-to-attack-we-must-seem-unable-when-using-our-forces/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/if-we-do-not-wish-to-fight-we-can-prevent-the-enemy-from-engaging-us/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-general-who-wins-a-battle-makes-many-calculations-in-his-temple/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-all-fighting-the-direct-method-may-be-used-for-joining-battle-but/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/to-begin-by-bluster-but-afterwards-to-take-fright-at-the-enemy-s/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [ They \[spies\] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/they-spies-cannot-be-properly-managed-without-benevolence-and/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) [Explore all 685 Sun Tzu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) ## More Evil quotes > [I've always been fascinated by the idea that there's no such thing as evil; it's all in your point of view. To one group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/i-ve-always-been-fascinated-by-the-idea-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as/) [Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/) > [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [I do conscientiously and sincerely believe that the Order of Freemasonry, if not the greatest, is one of the greatest moral and political evils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/i-do-conscientiously-and-sincerely-believe-that-the-order-of/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [What is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-is-done-out-of-love-always-takes-place-beyond-good-and-evil/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to \[be\] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be-evil-has-to-be-confronted-and/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [The evil which does me no harm is like the good which in no wise avails me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/the-evil-which-does-me-no-harm-is-like-the-good-which-in-no-wise/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Somewhere somebody must have some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. And it is all a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/somewhere-somebody-must-have-some-sense-men-must-see-that-force/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nayler/there-is-a-spirit-which-i-feel-that-delights-to-do-no-evil-nor-to/) [James Nayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nayler/) > [The politician attempts to remedy the evil by increasing the very thing that caused the evil in the first place: legal plunder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-politician-attempts-to-remedy-the-evil-by-increasing-the-very/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [“Water is so friendly when you have it on your palms, but so evil when they have you on theirs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/water-is-so-friendly-when-you-have-it-on-your-palms-but-so-evil-when/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [THE ART OF PEACE is not easy. It is a fight to the finish, the slaying of evil desires and all falsehood within. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/the-art-of-peace-is-not-easy-it-is-a-fight-to-the-finish-the-slaying/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) [Browse all 11,163 Evil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sun Tzu" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-only-one-who-is-thoroughly-acquainted-with-the-evils-of-war/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Evil" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-only-one-who-is-thoroughly-acquainted-with-the-evils-of-war/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/sun-tzu-283_evil_it-is-only-one-who-is-thoroughly-acquain_2066085.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/sun-tzu-283_evil_it-is-only-one-who-is-thoroughly-acquain_2066085.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/sun-tzu-283_evil_it-is-only-one-who-is-thoroughly-acquain_2066085.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the…” — Sun Tzu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sun Tzu", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is only one who is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-only-one-who-is-thoroughly-acquainted-with-the-evils-of-war/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-only-one-who-is-thoroughly-acquainted-with-the-evils-of-war/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```