Chinese idiom · 成语
知己知彼
Meaning
Know yourself and the other side; understand both parties' strengths and circumstances.
Character by character
Origin and story
Military principleThe Art of War's chapter on attacking by strategy says that knowing both the opponent and oneself avoids peril through repeated battles. Knowing oneself but not the opponent brings mixed outcomes; knowing neither exposes an army to danger. The text's order is 知彼知己, with 'the other side' first.
This is a principle in a military treatise, not the account of one general winning a particular battle. Its surrounding discussion also asks when to fight, how to use different forces, and whether leaders and troops share a purpose. Modern usage carries the principle into negotiation, sport, and business: assess both sides realistically. The original says 'not endangered,' rather than promising automatic victory.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
谈合作前，我们既分析对方的需求，也评估自己的能力，做到知己知彼。
Before discussing a partnership, we analyze their needs and assess our own abilities so that we understand both sides.
Understand your own situation as well as the other party's; the other party need not be an enemy.