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.
View this figure's profile
Xiang Yu's Other Quotes
Related Quotes
After victory, tighten the cords of your helmet.
-- Kuroda Yoshitaka
I shall give Japan a good laundering.
-- Sakamoto Ryōma
書足以記名姓而已。剣一人敵、不足学。学万人敵。
-- Xiang Yu
Without detachment, one cannot clarify purpose; without tranquility, one cannot reach far.
-- Zhuge Liang
Promote talent and talent alone.
-- Cao Cao
Before wine, one should sing — for how long is life? Like morning dew, so many days have passed.
-- Cao Cao