These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated. — 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
The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to… — 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
Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuver. What is difficult about maneuver is to make the devious route the most… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Thus, though I have heard of successful military operations that were clumsy but swift, cleverness has never been seen associated with long… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
The essential factor of military success is speed, that is taking advantage of others' unpreparedness or lack of foresight, their failure to… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become, as it were, like rolling logs or stones... The energy developed by good… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the Ch'ang mountains.… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
If asked how to cope with a great host of the enemy in orderly array and on the point of marching to… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
“Sun Tzu said: In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Should the enemy forestall you in occupying a pass, do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death,… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is a matter of life and death, a road either… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
In the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune. — 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
Now a soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
If not in the interests of the state, do not act. If you cannot succeed, do not use troops. If you are… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
An army may be likened to water, for just as flowing water avoids the heights and hastens to the lowlands, so an… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
These are the six ways of courting defeat - neglect to estimate the enemy's strength; want of authority; defective training; unjustifiable anger;… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
The military has no constant form, just as water has no constant shape - adapt as you face the enemy, without letting… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order. — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high rampart… — Sun Tzu Copy Share Image
When I have won a victory I do not repeat my tactics but respond to circumstances in an infinite variety of ways. — 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
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
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
