Sun Tzu wrote, There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked.

This is wisdom about discernment, about knowing not just when to act but when not to. Too many people lose battles in life because they chase every road, pick every fight, and pour their energy into battles that should never have been fought in the first place. The truth is: not every opportunity is meant for you. Not every argument deserves your voice. Not every fight will lead to victory.

The great danger in life is not always failure—it’s misdirection. You can exhaust yourself climbing the wrong mountain, pursuing goals that aren’t aligned with your mission, or fighting enemies who don’t even matter. Sun Tzu is warning us: choose carefully. Some paths look promising but lead only to ruin. Some battles feed your ego but rob you of strength. And if you’re not careful, you’ll waste your army—your time, your energy, your willpower—on the wrong terrain.

So how do you know which roads not to follow? Look at the cost. Look at where it leads. If a path demands you compromise your values, if it steals your peace, if it leaves you further from your true mission, that’s not your road. It might tempt you with quick rewards, but it’s a trap. The wise general doesn’t march down every open trail—he studies the terrain, and if it’s dangerous, he turns back. That’s not cowardice. That’s wisdom.

And what about the armies which must not be attacked? That’s about restraint. Sometimes the enemy isn’t worth your energy. Not every insult needs a response. Not every rival deserves your attention. Not every obstacle should be met head-on. A general who throws his forces against an army he cannot beat is reckless. A person who spends their life reacting to every criticism, every distraction, every challenge that doesn’t matter—burns themselves out.

Ask yourself: where in your life are you walking down roads you should have left behind long ago? Maybe it’s a toxic relationship you keep revisiting. Maybe it’s a habit that drains you. Maybe it’s an old grudge you keep fighting over. And where are you attacking “armies” that don’t matter? Maybe you’re spending all your energy arguing online. Maybe you’re competing with people who aren’t even moving in your direction. Maybe you’re fighting battles of pride while your real mission is neglected.

Wisdom is not just knowing when to strike; it’s knowing when to step back. Your energy is too precious to waste. Your mission is too important to be distracted. The roads you choose determine your destination. The battles you fight determine whether you have strength left for the war that really matters.

So today, discipline yourself: stop chasing every road. Stop attacking every army. Be selective. Be focused. Walk only the paths that lead to your true goal. Fight only the battles that bring you closer to victory.

That is not weakness—it is mastery.

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