the worst calamities that befall an army arise from…

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

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

Go into emptiness, strike voids, bypass what he defends hit him where he does not expect you.

— Sun Tzu

“In a similar way, The Art of War pinpoints anger and greed as fundamental causes of defeat.”

— Sun Tzu

“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

Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.

— Sun Tzu

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

“So long as victory can be attained,  stupid haste is preferable to clever dilatoriness.”

— Sun Tzu

“You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.”

— Sun Tzu

“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

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

“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

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

“To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.”

— Sun Tzu

They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness.

— Sun Tzu