Avoid the solid. Strike the empty.

What it means

Water runs around high ground and into low ground. A good strategist goes around strength and into weakness. Don't fight where your opponent is strongest.

The source

"Avoid the solid. Strike the empty." Sun Tzu said it in The Art of War 6 (Weak Points and Strong). Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

"夫兵形象水，水之行，避高而趨下；兵之勝，避實而擊虛。"

Original Chinese, The Art of War 6 (Weak Points and Strong). Text read at zh.wikisource.org.

Who said it

Sun Tzu (c. 5th century BC). Chinese general traditionally credited with The Art of War, a short book on strategy that values preparation, deception and winning without battle. It has been read by commanders, athletes and founders ever since.

Questions

What does "Avoid the solid. Strike the empty." mean?

Water runs around high ground and into low ground. A good strategist goes around strength and into weakness. Don't fight where your opponent is strongest.

Who said "Avoid the solid. Strike the empty."?

Sun Tzu (c. 5th century BC). Source: The Art of War 6 (Weak Points and Strong).

What is the original Chinese?

夫兵形象水，水之行，避高而趨下；兵之勝，避實而擊虛。. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Avoid the solid. Strike the empty." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Avoid the solid. Strike the empty." (Sun Tzu, The Art of War 6 (Weak Points and Strong), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/avoid-the-solid-strike-the-empty