--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Of old the expert in battle would first…" description: "\"Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability.\" — Sun Tzu" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cb/sun-tzu-283_art_of-old-the-expert-in-battle-would-first_2425575.jpg" --- # Of old the expert in battle would first make himself… ![“Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability.” quote by Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cb/sun-tzu-283_art_of-old-the-expert-in-battle-would-first_2425575.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cb/sun-tzu-283_art_of-old-the-expert-in-battle-would-first_2425575.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cb/sun-tzu-283_art_of-old-the-expert-in-battle-would-first_2425575.jpg) > “Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability.” [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. A strategist first secures his own strength, then exploits the opponent’s weakness. **In simple terms:** Secure yourself before attacking. Key Takeaway Build your advantage, then act. Themes strategy preparation vulnerability Mood determined analytical Type tactical inspirational When to use this quote - business competition - sports - negotiations - personal defense Key Concepts military tactics self-reliance opportunity Questions to Reflect On - What strengths can you solidify now? - How do you identify an opponent’s weakness? A Different Perspective If you focus only on your own strength, you may miss the opponent’s hidden assets. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Experts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experts/) [Invincible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invincible/) [Martial arts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/martial-arts/) [Vulnerability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vulnerability/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [First learn to become invincible, then wait for your enemy's moment of vulnerability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/first-learn-to-become-invincible-then-wait-for-your-enemy-s-moment-of/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/thus-the-expert-in-battle-moves-the-enemy-and-is-not-moved-by-him/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [The expert in battle seeks his victory from strategic advantage and does not demand it from his men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-expert-in-battle-seeks-his-victory-from-strategic-advantage-and/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“If you love someone enough, you can make them invincible. Like your feelings for them are so strong they work as a magical shield,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-kage/if-you-love-someone-enough-you-can-make-them-invincible-like-your/) [Linda Kage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-kage/) > [No man is invincible, and therefore no man can fully understand that which would make him invincible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miyamoto-musashi/no-man-is-invincible-and-therefore-no-man-can-fully-understand-that/) [Miyamoto Musashi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miyamoto-musashi/) > [“How does something so invisible make one so invincible?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-castle/how-does-something-so-invisible-make-one-so-invincible/) [Juliet Castle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-castle/) > [He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/he-who-is-prudent-and-lies-in-wait-for-an-enemy-who-is-not-will-be/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [He who wait for an enemy, will be victorious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sahil-rathod/he-who-wait-for-an-enemy-will-be-victorious/) [Sahil Rathod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sahil-rathod/) > [“Persistence and passion will make you invincible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-baloga/persistence-and-passion-will-make-you-invincible/) Christian Baloga > [It is a doctrine of war not to assume the enemy will not come, but rather to rely on one's readiness to meet him;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-a-doctrine-of-war-not-to-assume-the-enemy-will-not-come-but/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Those who excel in war first cultivate their own humanity and and maintain their laws and institutions. 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They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) ## 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. 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