“The expert in battle moves the enemy and is not moved by him.”
— Sun Tzu
Simplified Meaning:
Picture a game of chess. A skilled chess player anticipates their opponent's moves and makes strategic decisions that lead their opponent into traps. The player controls the game, making their opponent react to them, rather than the other way around. In life, this means being proactive instead of reactive. If you're always responding to what others do, you don't have control. But if you plan thoughtfully and take initiative, you can influence situations to your advantage. For example, in business, a savvy company leader doesn't just react to market changes. Instead, they foresee trends and steer their company in a direction that puts them ahead of the competition. So, the practical lesson here is to think and plan ahead, guide the actions of others, and maintain control rather than being controlled by external forces.