There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefitted. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer without being able to do it. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
When orders are consistently trustworthy and observed, the relationship of a commander with his troops is satisfactory. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Ponder and deliberate before you make your move. He will conquer who has learned the artifice of deviation. Such is the art… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Fighting with a large army under your command is nowise different from fighting with a small one: it is merely a question… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy... use the conquered foe to augment one's own strength. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
There is nothing more difficult than tactical maneuvering. The difficult consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain.… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not. On facile ground, halt not. On contentious ground, attack not. On open ground, do not try… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
“When Lionel Giles began his translation of Sun Tzu's ART OF WAR, the work was virtually unknown in Europe. Its introduction to… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
It is the rule in war, if ten times the enemy's strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, be… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans, the next best is to prevent the junction of the… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
“In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. If the… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
We cannot enter into alliance with neighbouring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability. — 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
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
“When one treats people with benevolence, justice, and righteoousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and… — 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
The value of time, that is of being a little ahead of your opponent, often provides greater advantage than superior numbers or… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Know the enemy, know yourself; your victory will never be endangered. Know the ground, know the weather; your victory will then be… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Thus the skilful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled against another ten times its size, the result will be the flight of… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
It is a doctrine of war not to assume the enemy will not come, but rather to rely on one's readiness to… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Birds rising in flight is a sign that the enemy is lying in ambush; when the wild animals are startled and flee… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors. We are not fit to lead an… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
When the enemy is at ease, be able to weary him; when well fed, to starve him; when at rest, to make… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
When campaigning, be swift as the wind; in leisurely march, majestic as the forest; in raiding and plundering, like fire; in standing,… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
As water shapes its flow in accordance with the ground, so an army manages its victory in accordance with the situation of… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporising ground. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is… — 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
