It's all in the Art...

In my first year at University i had a lecturer that recommended we read the "Art of War" by Sun Tzu, i read it however at that particular time i did not understand the fuss or hidden meanings behind this ancient text. A few days ago i re-read it on a flight heading home and the one quote that jumps out at me is;

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle”

I might be completely off the mark with what Sun Tzu wanted his warriors to remember but this has a two folded meaning for me. 

Firstly if you do not know the enemy you will lose as often as you win, all battles will be 50/50 and you will always fight with fear of the unknown, questioning tactics and power. However, if you know both yourself and the enemy perhaps you will win more because you would not be afraid to fight. Perhaps you will risk more because the reward will be personal. 

Secondly; it also speaks of the importance of knowing and understanding others in the battle where the conflict is theoretical and the war personal. If you've fought a battle where you gained a greater understanding of yourself and the other person, you've gained something greater than a mere win, and the outcome of the battle itself is irrelevant.

I think the greatest battles we fight in this life is with ourselves, we tend to be our worse enemies so perhaps if we master the art of self love then mastering the art of war would be easier.