Spies are a most important element in water, because on them depends an army's ability to move. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Don't flail against the world, use it. Flexibility is the operative principle in the art of war. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
The expert in battle seeks his victory from strategic advantage and does not demand it from his men. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them.… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities...It is best to win… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Should one ask: 'how do I cope with a well-ordered enemy host about to attack me?' I reply: seize something he cherishes… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is about to advance. Violent language and driving forward as if to… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
War is a matter of vital importance to the state; the province of life or death; the road to survival or ruin.… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporising ground; (4) narrow passes; (5)… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Do not engage an enemy more powerful than you. And if it is unavoidable and you do have to engage, then make… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
“Sun Tzu Wu was a native of the Ch'i State. His Art of War brought him to the notice of Ho Lu,… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally; but a power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, the skillful general keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. By shifting his camp and… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Unless you know the mountains and the forests, the defiles and impasses, the lay of the marshes and swamps, you cannot maneuver… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
The art of using troops is this: …When ten to the enemy's one, surround him; …When five times his strength, attack him;… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Subjugating the enemy's army without fighting is the true pinnacle of excellence. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
One who has few must prepare against the enemy; one who has many makes the enemy prepare against him. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
The good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
It is the business of a general to be serene and inscrutable, impartial and self-controlled. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack… — Sun Tzu Copy Share
It is according to the shapes that I lay the plans for victory, but the multitude does not comprehend this. Although everyone can see… — Sun Tzu Copy Share
Go into emptiness, strike voids, bypass what he defends hit him where he does not expect you. — Sun Tzu Copy Share
“In a similar way, The Art of War pinpoints anger and greed as fundamental causes of defeat.” — Sun Tzu Copy Share
“The PEOPLE being regarded as the essential part of the State, and FOOD as the people's heaven, is it not right that those in… — Sun Tzu Copy Share
Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision. — Sun Tzu Copy Share
The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they… — Sun Tzu Copy Share
“So long as victory can be attained, stupid haste is preferable to clever dilatoriness.” — Sun Tzu Copy Share
“You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.” — Sun Tzu Copy Share
“Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make… — Sun Tzu Copy Share
If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely… — Sun Tzu Copy Share
“The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes… — Sun Tzu Copy Share
In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory. — Sun Tzu Copy Share
“To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.” — Sun Tzu Copy Share
They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. — Sun Tzu Copy Share
