--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you shoot a bow and arrow, you aim…" description: "\"When you shoot a bow and arrow, you aim at the clouds, not because you expect to hit them, but so that you may reach the distant target on the ground.\"..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b9/sun-tzu-283_aim_when-you-shoot-a-bow-and-arrow-you-aim-a_909387.jpg" --- # When you shoot a bow and arrow, you aim at the clouds, not… ![“When you shoot a bow and arrow, you aim at the clouds, not because you expect to hit them, but so that you may reach the distant target on the ground.” quote by Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b9/sun-tzu-283_aim_when-you-shoot-a-bow-and-arrow-you-aim-a_909387.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b9/sun-tzu-283_aim_when-you-shoot-a-bow-and-arrow-you-aim-a_909387.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b9/sun-tzu-283_aim_when-you-shoot-a-bow-and-arrow-you-aim-a_909387.jpg) > “When you shoot a bow and arrow, you aim at the clouds, not because you expect to hit them, but so that you may reach the distant target on the ground.” [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. Aim beyond immediate goals to achieve distant objectives; the target is on the ground, not the clouds. **In simple terms:** Aim high to reach far goals. Key Takeaway Set lofty aims to guide actions. Themes strategy focus vision Mood determined inspired Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - project planning - sports training - career development - personal growth Key Concepts Long‑term planning indirect approach Questions to Reflect On - What distant goal are you missing? - How does aiming high shape your daily actions? A Different Perspective Aiming too high can waste effort if the ground target is unclear. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bows and arrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bows-and-arrows/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) ## Related quotes > [The history of the bow and arrow is the history of mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-bear/the-history-of-the-bow-and-arrow-is-the-history-of-mankind/) [Fred Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-bear/) > [Every aspect of human technology has a dark side, including the bow and arrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/every-aspect-of-human-technology-has-a-dark-side-including-the-bow/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [We have a bow and arrow and if we aim well, we can hit the target. The problem is that Bayern has a bazooka.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jurgen-klopp/we-have-a-bow-and-arrow-and-if-we-aim-well-we-can-hit-the-target-the/) [Jurgen Klopp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jurgen-klopp/) > [I have an unsatisfied desire to shoot well with a bow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/i-have-an-unsatisfied-desire-to-shoot-well-with-a-bow/) [J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/) > [I don't think a lot of people consider golf a sport. It's kind of a leisure event. I would like to play. And I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jabari-parker/i-don-t-think-a-lot-of-people-consider-golf-a-sport-it-s-kind-of-a/) [Jabari Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jabari-parker/) > [“When lion saddled for hunt, he outfitted by bow and arrow to guard himself”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-lion-saddled-for-hunt-he-outfitted-by-bow-and-arrow-to-guard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If I have a bow and arrow, Commander, I don't shoot a padded shaft to my target's left in order to express my annoyance.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-david/if-i-have-a-bow-and-arrow-commander-i-don-t-shoot-a-padded-shaft-to/) [Peter David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-david/) > [I do love archery in my day-to-day life because I find it very therapeutic, and I've trained every season with the bow and arrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-leslie/i-do-love-archery-in-my-day-to-day-life-because-i-find-it-very/) [Rose Leslie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-leslie/) > [“When you raise your kids, you’re the bow, they’re the arrow, and you just try to aim them in the best direction that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-ferriss/when-you-raise-your-kids-you-re-the-bow-they-re-the-arrow-and-you/) [Timothy Ferriss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-ferriss/) > [Enough for this bow & arrow. It caused me nothing but sorrow. No need for another tomorrow. In your heart, I will never be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louaiq8/enough-for-this-bow-arrow-it-caused-me-nothing-but-sorrow-no-need-for/) Louaiq8 > [I love the solitude of being in a tree with a bow and arrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chipper-jones/i-love-the-solitude-of-being-in-a-tree-with-a-bow-and-arrow/) [Chipper Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chipper-jones/) > [“I'm not sure why anyone on the face of the planet would want to use a bow and arrow. I mean, it seems like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-portes/i-m-not-sure-why-anyone-on-the-face-of-the-planet-would-want-to-use-a/) [Andrea Portes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-portes/) > [The Roman goddess Diana, you know, is usually shown with a bow and arrow. Every first-year Latin student knows that. I still remember the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/the-roman-goddess-diana-you-know-is-usually-shown-with-a-bow-and/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [I would like to do away with all kind of - all weapons. A dream - totally. Including the bow an arrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malachy-mccourt/i-would-like-to-do-away-with-all-kind-of-all-weapons-a-dream-totally/) [Malachy McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malachy-mccourt/) > [You are wind in a stark tree, you are the stark tree unbent, you are a strung bow, you are an arrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/you-are-wind-in-a-stark-tree-you-are-the-stark-tree-unbent-you-are-a/) [Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/) ## 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 Aim quotes > [If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-aim-at-nothing-you-will-hit-it-every-time/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The Christian man must aim at that complete obedience to God in which life finds its highest happiness, its greatest good, its perfect consummation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barclay/the-christian-man-must-aim-at-that-complete-obedience-to-god-in-which/) [William Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barclay/) > [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [In Bosnia, little children shot in the head by a guy who thinks it's okay to aim his gun at a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-amanpour/in-bosnia-little-children-shot-in-the-head-by-a-guy-who-thinks-it-s/) [Christiane Amanpour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-amanpour/) > [Design certainly has a cosmetic, aesthetic aim. It always aims at making things beautiful. But relevance is just as important. I often say, 'If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-behar/design-certainly-has-a-cosmetic-aesthetic-aim-it-always-aims-at/) [Yves Behar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-behar/) > [My aim was to make money for the bank. You lose track of the amounts involved when you are engaged in this kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-kerviel/my-aim-was-to-make-money-for-the-bank-you-lose-track-of-the-amounts/) [Jerome Kerviel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-kerviel/) > [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [My main aim has always been to do good quality films with roles that have some substance. With Power and Beauty there were loads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-henstridge/my-main-aim-has-always-been-to-do-good-quality-films-with-roles-that/) [Natasha Henstridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-henstridge/) > [ I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback \[in "The Invisible Woman"\]. Ralph \[Fiennes\] was very open to my input,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-watching-rushes-and-playback-in/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [My aim is to be counted among the top players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babar-azam/my-aim-is-to-be-counted-among-the-top-players/) [Babar Azam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babar-azam/) > [The single aim of my life is that every child is: free to be a child, free to grow and develop, free to eat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-satyarthi/the-single-aim-of-my-life-is-that-every-child-is-free-to-be-a-child/) [Kailash Satyarthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-satyarthi/) > [The aim of good prose words is to mean what they say. The aim of good poetical words is to mean what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-aim-of-good-prose-words-is-to-mean-what-they-say-the-aim-of-good/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) Browse all 3,047 Aim quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you shoot a bow and arrow, you aim at the clouds, not because you expect to hit them, but so that you may reach the distant target on the ground.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sun Tzu" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/when-you-shoot-a-bow-and-arrow-you-aim-at-the-clouds-not-because-you/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Aim" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/when-you-shoot-a-bow-and-arrow-you-aim-at-the-clouds-not-because-you/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b9/sun-tzu-283_aim_when-you-shoot-a-bow-and-arrow-you-aim-a_909387.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b9/sun-tzu-283_aim_when-you-shoot-a-bow-and-arrow-you-aim-a_909387.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b9/sun-tzu-283_aim_when-you-shoot-a-bow-and-arrow-you-aim-a_909387.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When you shoot a bow and arrow, you aim at the clouds, not because you expect to hit them, but so that you…” — 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": "When you shoot a bow and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/when-you-shoot-a-bow-and-arrow-you-aim-at-the-clouds-not-because-you/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/when-you-shoot-a-bow-and-arrow-you-aim-at-the-clouds-not-because-you/#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 } } ] } ```