“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.”
— Sun Tzu
Simplified Meaning:
Just like water changes its path based on the land it flows over, a successful soldier plans his actions based on the enemy he’s fighting. Imagine pouring water on different surfaces: on a flat surface, it spreads out evenly; on a hill, it rushes downhill quickly. Similarly, a soldier looks at his opponent's strengths and weaknesses and decides the best way to win. Think about a football team playing against various opponents. They study each opponent carefully and change their strategy before each game. If the other team is strong in defense, they might focus on strong attacks to break through. This idea can be useful in everyday life too. When facing a problem, look at the unique details of the situation and adjust your approach rather than using the same method every time. This flexibility can help you overcome challenges more effectively.