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
“Conform to the enemy's tactics until a favorable opportunity offers; then come forth and engage in a battle that shall prove decisive.” — 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
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
The art of giving orders is not to try to rectify the minor blunders and not be swayed by petty doubts. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
To ... not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues. — 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
What enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men,… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
“15. Hence a wise general makes a point of foraging on the enemy. One cartload of the enemy's provisions is equivalent to… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
“If we wish to wrest an advantage from the enemy, we must not fix our minds on that alone, but allow for… — 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 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
Whoever is the first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy will be fresh for the fight... Therefore the… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and you know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
“To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.” — 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
For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
“In a similar way, The Art of War pinpoints anger and greed as fundamental causes of defeat.” — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. — 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
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
“The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach.” — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
“A sovereign should never launch an army out of anger, a leader should never start a war out of wrath” — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
“Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
“It is best to keep one’s own state intact; to crush the enemy’s state is only second best.” — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
“Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
All warfare is based on deception. There is no place where espionage is not used. Offer the enemy bait to lure him. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Those who excel in war first cultivate their own humanity and and maintain their laws and institutions. By these means they make… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
“5,6. The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
“threw light upon the principles of war. It is obvious enough that Ssu-ma Ch'ien at least had no doubt about the reality… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
In warfare, there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent will succeed and win. — 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
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
