Army Quotes by Sun Tzu

The true objective of war is peace.

— Sun Tzu

A leader leads by example not by force.

— Sun Tzu

To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape.

— Sun Tzu

There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.

— Sun Tzu

To capture an enemies army is better than to destroy it.

— Sun Tzu

What is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations.

— Sun Tzu

“When you surround an army, leave an outlet free.”

— Sun Tzu

Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.

— Sun Tzu

The expert in battle seeks his victory from strategic advantage and does not demand it from his men.

— Sun Tzu

Subjugating the enemy's army without fighting is the true pinnacle of excellence.

— Sun Tzu

Being unconquerable lies with yourself; being conquerable lies with your enemy.

— Sun Tzu

To maintain an army at a distance causes the people to be impoverished.

— Sun Tzu

One who sets the entire army in motion to chase an advantage will not attain it.

— Sun Tzu

Spies are a most important element in water, because on them depends an army's ability to move.

— Sun Tzu

Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle … They conquer by strategy.

— Sun Tzu

Fighting with a large army under your command is nowise different from fighting with a small one: it is merely a question…

— Sun Tzu

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

In warfare, first lay plans which will ensure victory, and then lead your army to battle; if you will not begin with…

— Sun Tzu

“There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must be not attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which…

— Sun Tzu

“When one treats people with benevolence, justice, and righteoousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and…

— Sun Tzu

Of all those in the army close to the commander none is more intimate than the secret agent; of all rewards none…

— Sun Tzu

It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes…

— Sun Tzu

In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to…

— Sun Tzu

There are five kinds of incendiary attack: The first is called setting fire to personnel; the second, to stores; the third, to…

— Sun Tzu

It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if…

— Sun Tzu

Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: He will win who knows when to fight and when not…

— Sun Tzu

The general must be the first in the toils and fatigues of the army. In the heat of summer he does not…

— Sun Tzu

By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, the skillful general keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. By shifting his camp and…

— Sun Tzu

Hostile armies may face each other for years, striving for the victory which is decided in a single day. This being so,…

— Sun Tzu

The proximity of an army causes prices to go up; and high prices cause people's substance to be drained away. When their…

— Sun Tzu

A clever general... avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return.…

— Sun Tzu

There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune on his army: By commanding the army to advance or to…

— Sun Tzu

When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

— Sun Tzu

Victory usually goes to the army who has better trained officers and men.

— Sun Tzu

the leader of armies is the arbiter of the people's fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be…

— Sun Tzu

He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.

— Sun Tzu

Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.

— Sun Tzu

Management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization.

— Sun Tzu

Where the army is, prices are high; when prices rise the wealth of the people is exhausted.

— Sun Tzu

Therefore a victorious army first wins and then seeks battle; a defeated army first battles and then seeks victory.

— Sun Tzu