Writing is only good for recording names. Swordsmanship defeats one man — that's not worth learning. I want to learn what defeats ten thousand.
彼可取而代也。
Military Strategists
Xiang Yu
The 'Hegemon-King of Western Chu' whose raw military genius made him the most feared commander of ancient China's civil wars (232-202 BCE). Xiang Yu won every battle but lost the war — his career is history's definitive case study in how tactical brilliance without political strategy leads to ultimate defeat.
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Xiang Yu's Other Quotes
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After victory, tighten the cords of your helmet.
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Without detachment, one cannot clarify purpose; without tranquility, one cannot reach far.
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Promote talent and talent alone.
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Before wine, one should sing — for how long is life? Like morning dew, so many days have passed.
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Learning to write is merely enough to record one's name. The sword defeats but a single foe and is not worth mastering. I shall study the art of defeating ten thousand.
-- Xiang Yu