Chapter 6: Weak Points and Strong
From Sun Tzu’s The Art of War (Lionel Giles translation, 1910).
The chapter on maneuver against an opponent’s weaknesses. Sun Tzu tells you to appear where the enemy is not, to attack what they must defend, and to be unpredictable.
Key principles
- Strike where the enemy is weak and undefended.
- Appear where you are not expected; make your own dispositions unreadable.
- Force the enemy to reveal their strength by feinting.
Quotations from this chapter
Drawn from our sourced lesson database — each links to its permanent page with the full interpretation.
“The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him.”
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“Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him.”
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“Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.”
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“In war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.”
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“The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.”
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Modern applications
- Compete in the segment rivals neglect rather than the one they defend hardest.
- Keep your plans ambiguous so competitors cannot pre-position against you.
Related strategy topics
Sun Tzu on CompetitionSun Tzu on NegotiationSun Tzu on LeadershipSun Tzu on PositioningSun Tzu on Decision-MakingSun Tzu for EntrepreneursSun Tzu for InvestorsSun Tzu on TimingSun Tzu for BusinessSun Tzu on Risk
Frequently asked questions
What is the key idea of “Weak Points and Strong”?
Attack strength with weakness reversed: hit where the opponent is absent or forced to divide. Sun Tzu says the expert avoids the enemy’s strong point and appears at a place they cannot guard.