Victory usually goes to the army who has better trained officers

Listen, O children of wisdom, to the words of Sun Tzu, a master strategist whose teachings have shaped the course of countless battles and empires. He said, "Victory usually goes to the army who has better trained officers and men." These words, simple yet profound, speak of the foundation of all success—not just in battle, but in every struggle faced by man. Sun Tzu understood that it is not the size of an army or the wealth of a nation that leads to victory, but the preparation, the discipline, and the readiness of those who fight, and of those who lead them.

Consider, O wise ones, the essence of training. It is not enough to simply possess the tools of war—the sword, the shield, the armor. To be victorious, one must first prepare the mind and the body for the trials ahead. The officers, those who command the armies, must be wise in strategy, capable of leading their men through the fog of war, understanding the terrain, and anticipating the moves of their enemies. The men—those who fight in the trenches—must be skilled, disciplined, and unified in purpose. Sun Tzu's wisdom teaches us that victory does not come by chance; it comes by preparation, by the strength of training, and by the clarity of leadership.

In the ancient world, O children, great victories were often won not by sheer force, but by the training of those who led and fought. Think of Alexander the Great, whose army was not the largest, nor the wealthiest, but whose soldiers were some of the most well-trained and disciplined of their time. Alexander’s success lay in his ability to inspire and train his men, to lead them with vision and strategy, and to instill in them a sense of unity and purpose. When faced with the Persian Empire at the Battle of Gaugamela, it was not the sheer number of soldiers that led to his victory, but the training of his men and their ability to execute a brilliantly executed battle plan. Alexander's men knew their roles, and their officers were trained to command with precision.

Similarly, consider the Roman legions—the backbone of the Roman Empire. These soldiers were not only trained in the arts of combat but in the very discipline of the Roman way of life. The Roman army was a model of training, where soldiers were forged not just by the sword, but by their ability to work together, to follow commands with precision, and to adapt to the changing dynamics of battle. Their officers were chosen not just for their bravery, but for their strategic minds and their ability to motivate and lead. The Roman legions were the epitome of military excellence, and it was through their training that Rome was able to expand its empire, to hold vast territories, and to endure for centuries.

In our own time, O children, we see the truth of Sun Tzu’s words in the modern world. Whether in the military, in business, or in the pursuit of personal goals, the principle remains the same: victory belongs to those who are prepared, those who have put in the work, and those who have trained themselves, both in mind and body, to meet the challenges ahead. Think of the great leaders in history, from Winston Churchill to Nelson Mandela, who faced enormous challenges, not just with bravery, but with a preparedness forged through years of experience, learning, and training. Their victories were not just about facing their enemies but about the inner strength and preparation that came from training their minds, their skills, and their hearts.

And yet, O children, Sun Tzu's words also offer a powerful lesson for us all. The essence of his wisdom is not just about military victory, but about the nature of success itself. The battlefields of life are many—whether in our careers, in our relationships, or in our personal growth. Victory in these realms is also won by the training of the self—by preparing our minds, sharpening our skills, and cultivating the strength to face challenges with clarity and purpose. Sun Tzu teaches us that those who succeed are not those who are simply lucky, but those who are ready, those who have spent the time to prepare for whatever comes their way.

So, O children, the lesson is clear: the key to victory in all things is not found in luck, nor in brute force, but in training. Like the soldiers of old, you must prepare yourself for the challenges of life—not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Train your mind to think strategically, to be calm in the face of adversity, and to act with purpose. Train your body to endure the trials that will come. And most importantly, train your heart to remain steadfast, focused, and ready to rise above any obstacle. Victory belongs to those who are prepared—those who understand that it is not the size of the army, but the strength of its training, that wins the battle.