Weak Points and Strong illustration
Military / Strategy / Classical Texts
Military / Strategy / Classical Texts

Weak Points and Strong

Shape the enemy, stay hard to read, and strike where resistance is thin.

Aliases
Weak Points and Strong / 虛實 / Art of War Chapter 6
Domains
Strategy, leadership, planning, deception, competition

Chapter Focus

  • Shape the enemy, stay hard to read, and strike where resistance is thin.
  • Alternate chapter title: Weak Points and Strong
  • Chinese chapter title: 虛實
  • This chapter page groups three practical quote cards from the same chapter.

Selected Rules

  • Rule 6.1: Set the tempo yourself.
  • Rule 6.2: Do not attack the strongest wall.
  • Rule 6.3: Flow around strength and toward weakness.

Rule 6.1

Rule 6.1
  • Chinese original: 致人而不致於人。
  • Working English: Make the other side respond to you; do not let them dictate your motion.
  • Simple definition: Set the tempo yourself.
  • Simple explanation: Whoever controls the agenda usually controls the pressure.
  • Simple usage: Publish your product roadmap cadence so competitors react to your timing instead of forcing yours.

Rule 6.2

Rule 6.2
  • Chinese original: 攻而必取者，攻其所不守也。
  • Working English: To take something successfully, strike where it is not defended.
  • Simple definition: Do not attack the strongest wall.
  • Simple explanation: The easiest entry point is usually somewhere the opponent does not expect to fight.
  • Simple usage: Enter a market through a neglected customer segment instead of challenging the incumbent in its flagship segment.

Rule 6.3

Rule 6.3
  • Chinese original: 兵之形象水，避實而擊虛。
  • Working English: Military force should be like water, avoiding solidity and hitting emptiness.
  • Simple definition: Flow around strength and toward weakness.
  • Simple explanation: Strategy works best when it follows the path of least resistance.
  • Simple usage: Reposition the offer toward unmet demand instead of matching a bigger rival feature for feature.