"There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare"

Sun Tzu's quote suggests that prolonged warfare is not useful for any nation. He is suggesting that war must be used as a last resort and ought to be kept as short as possible. He believes that the longer a war lasts, the more pricey it ends up being for the nation included. This is because of the resources and workforce that are needed to sustain a prolonged war. Additionally, prolonged warfare can result in a decline in morale and an increase in casualties. Sun Tzu's quote is a reminder that war must be avoided if possible, and if it is required, it should be kept as brief as possible. This is due to the fact that the longer a war lasts, the more costly it ends up being for the country involved, both in terms of resources and lives.