--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you do battle, even if you are…" description: "\"When you do battle, even if you are winning, if you continue for a long time it will dull your forces and blunt you edge...If you keep your armies out ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/671/sun-tzu-283_amount_when-you-do-battle-even-if-you-are-winni_1824944.jpg" --- # When you do battle, even if you are winning, if you… ![“When you do battle, even if you are winning, if you continue for a long time it will dull your forces and blunt you edge...If you keep your armies out in the field for a long time, your supplies will be insufficient. Transportation of provisions itself consumes 20 times the amount transported.” quote by Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/671/sun-tzu-283_amount_when-you-do-battle-even-if-you-are-winni_1824944.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/671/sun-tzu-283_amount_when-you-do-battle-even-if-you-are-winni_1824944.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/671/sun-tzu-283_amount_when-you-do-battle-even-if-you-are-winni_1824944.jpg) > “When you do battle, even if you are winning, if you continue for a long time it will dull your forces and blunt you edge...If you keep your armies out in the field for a long time, your supplies will be insufficient. Transportation of provisions itself consumes 20 times the amount transported.” [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. Prolonged conflict weakens armies and depletes supplies, making victory harder to sustain. **In simple terms:** Long wars drain strength and resources. Key Takeaway Avoid extended battles; seek swift, decisive action. Themes strategy logistics warfare Mood cautious pragmatic Type military tactical When to use this quote - campaign planning - resource management - troop morale - logistical support Key Concepts resource depletion attrition military planning Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders balance aggression with sustainability? - What alternatives exist to a drawn‑out conflict? A Different Perspective Prolonged engagements can also erode political support and morale. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/) [Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Transportation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transportation/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [I rather choose to lose a battle rather than winning a war. Don't compare yourself to others, instead focus on your gifts and express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-rather-choose-to-lose-a-battle-rather-than-winning-a-war-don-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Do we fight? If we do, then know that in battle there is only winning and losing. 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