諺語 · a single proverb
不謀全局者不足謀一域
Simplified: 不谋全局者不足谋一域
What does 不謀全局者不足謀一域 (bù móu quán jú zhě bù zú móu yī yù) mean?
不謀全局者不足謀一域 (bù móu quán jú zhě bù zú móu yī yù) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "one who does not plan for the whole cannot plan for a part." In use it means: Without understanding the big picture, you cannot make good decisions about the details; strategy precedes tactics. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Metal note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Snake.
Literally: "one who does not plan for the whole cannot plan for a part."
The reading
The general who wins his sector and loses the war has not won anything. The local decision that ignores the global context is a decision made with its eyes closed. Before you optimize your corner, understand the room. Before you optimize the room, understand the building. Every part is answerable to the whole.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Chen Shushi 陳澍石; attributed to Qing dynasty strategic thought
Sits beside
Keep reading
Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Wisdom & Learning, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Snake, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 不謀全局者不足謀一域 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 不謀全局者不足謀一域 (bù móu quán jú zhě bù zú móu yī yù) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Chen Shushi 陳澍石; attributed to Qing dynasty strategic thought. It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.
How do you pronounce 不謀全局者不足謀一域?
In Mandarin it is bù móu quán jú zhě bù zú móu yī yù. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 不謀全局者不足謀一域 aloud in Mandarin.