--- title: "8 Five Quotes By Sun Tzu" description: "8 Five quotes by Sun Tzu. Plus more from Sun Tzu and more Five sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/sun-tzu-283_art_there-are-not-more-than-five-musical-not_171702.jpg" --- > [There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/there-are-not-more-than-five-musical-notes-yet-the-combinations-of/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/sun-tzu-283_art_there-are-not-more-than-five-musical-not_171702.jpg) > [It is the rule in war, if ten times the enemy's strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-ten-times-the-enemy-s-strength-surround-them/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fe/sun-tzu-283_able_it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-ten-times-the-e_1171793.jpg) > [The sovereign must have full knowledge of the activities of the five sorts of agents. This knowledge must come from the double…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-sovereign-must-have-full-knowledge-of-the-activities-of-the-five/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c31/sun-tzu-283_activity_the-sovereign-must-have-full-knowledge-o_1255945.jpg) > [In executing an Artful Strategy: When ten times greater, surround them; When five times greater, attack them; When two times greater, scatter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-executing-an-artful-strategy-when-ten-times-greater-surround-them/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31b/sun-tzu-283_capture_in-executing-an-artful-strategy-when-ten_1399502.jpg) > [There are only five notes in the musical scale, but their variations are so many that they cannot all be heard. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/there-are-only-five-notes-in-the-musical-scale-but-their-variations/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56b/sun-tzu-283_battle_there-are-only-five-notes-in-the-musical_1485164.jpg) > [The art of using troops is this: …When ten to the enemy's one, surround him; …When five times his strength, attack him;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-art-of-using-troops-is-this-when-ten-to-the-enemy-s-one-surround/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f99/sun-tzu-283_art_the-art-of-using-troops-is-this-when-ten_2243434.jpg) > [There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: recklessness, which leads to destruction; cowardice, which leads to capture; a hasty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/there-are-five-dangerous-faults-which-may-affect-a-general/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5bd/sun-tzu-283_art_there-are-five-dangerous-faults-which-ma_2431177.jpg) > [There are five kinds of incendiary attack: The first is called setting fire to personnel; the second, to stores; the third, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/there-are-five-kinds-of-incendiary-attack-the-first-is-called-setting/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40b/sun-tzu-283_addresses_there-are-five-kinds-of-incendiary-attac_2771496.jpg) ## Other authors on Five ## More by Sun Tzu > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-our-forces-are-ten-to-the-enemy-s-one-to/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-according-to-the-shapes-that-i-lay-the-plans-for-victory-but/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Go into emptiness, strike voids, bypass what he defends hit him where he does not expect you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/go-into-emptiness-strike-voids-bypass-what-he-defends-hit-him-where/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“In a similar way, The Art of War pinpoints anger and greed as fundamental causes of defeat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-a-similar-way-the-art-of-war-pinpoints-anger-and-greed-as/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-people-being-regarded-as-the-essential-part-of-the-state-and-food/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/therefore-the-good-fighter-will-be-terrible-in-his-onset-and-prompt/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-enemy-s-spies-who-have-come-to-spy-on-us-must-be-sought-out/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“So long as victory can be attained,  stupid haste is preferable to clever dilatoriness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/so-long-as-victory-can-be-attained-stupid-haste-is-preferable-to/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/you-can-ensure-the-safety-of-your-defense-if-you-only-hold-positions/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/hence-when-able-to-attack-we-must-seem-unable-when-using-our-forces/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/if-we-do-not-wish-to-fight-we-can-prevent-the-enemy-from-engaging-us/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-general-who-wins-a-battle-makes-many-calculations-in-his-temple/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-all-fighting-the-direct-method-may-be-used-for-joining-battle-but/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/to-begin-by-bluster-but-afterwards-to-take-fright-at-the-enemy-s/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [ They \[spies\] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/they-spies-cannot-be-properly-managed-without-benevolence-and/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/five/sun-tzu/#itemlist", "name": "8 Five Quotes By Sun Tzu", "numberOfItems": 8, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.There are not more than five primary colors, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations of them yield more flavors than can ever be tasted.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sun Tzu" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/there-are-not-more-than-five-musical-notes-yet-the-combinations-of/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/sun-tzu-283_art_there-are-not-more-than-five-musical-not_171702.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/sun-tzu-283_art_there-are-not-more-than-five-musical-not_171702.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/sun-tzu-283_art_there-are-not-more-than-five-musical-not_171702.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies…” — Sun Tzu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is the rule in war, if ten times the enemy's strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, be able to divide them; if equal, engage them; if fewer, defend against them; if weaker, be able to avoid them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sun Tzu" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-ten-times-the-enemy-s-strength-surround-them/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fe/sun-tzu-283_able_it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-ten-times-the-e_1171793.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fe/sun-tzu-283_able_it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-ten-times-the-e_1171793.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fe/sun-tzu-283_able_it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-ten-times-the-e_1171793.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is the rule in war, if ten times the enemy's strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if…” — Sun Tzu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The sovereign must have full knowledge of the activities of the five sorts of agents. This knowledge must come from the double agents, and therefore it is mandatory that they be treated with the utmost liberality.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sun Tzu" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-sovereign-must-have-full-knowledge-of-the-activities-of-the-five/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c31/sun-tzu-283_activity_the-sovereign-must-have-full-knowledge-o_1255945.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c31/sun-tzu-283_activity_the-sovereign-must-have-full-knowledge-o_1255945.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c31/sun-tzu-283_activity_the-sovereign-must-have-full-knowledge-o_1255945.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The sovereign must have full knowledge of the activities of the five sorts of agents. This knowledge must…” — Sun Tzu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In executing an Artful Strategy: When ten times greater, surround them; When five times greater, attack them; When two times greater, scatter them. If the opponent is ready to challenge: When fewer in number, be ready to evade them; When unequal to the match, be ready to avoid them. Even when the smaller opponents have a strong position, the larger opponent will capture them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sun Tzu" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-executing-an-artful-strategy-when-ten-times-greater-surround-them/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31b/sun-tzu-283_capture_in-executing-an-artful-strategy-when-ten_1399502.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31b/sun-tzu-283_capture_in-executing-an-artful-strategy-when-ten_1399502.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/31b/sun-tzu-283_capture_in-executing-an-artful-strategy-when-ten_1399502.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In executing an Artful Strategy: When ten times greater, surround them; When five times greater, attack…” — Sun Tzu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There are only five notes in the musical scale, but their variations are so many that they cannot all be heard. There are only five basic colors, but their variations are so many that they cannot all be seen. There are only five basic flavors, but their variations are so many that they cannot all be tasted. There are only two kinds of charge in battle, the unorthodox surprise attack and the orthodox direct attack, but variations of the unorthodox and the orthodox are endless. 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…When five times his strength, attack him; …If double his strength, divide him; …If equally matched you may engage him; …If weaker numerically, be capable of withdrawing; …And if in all respects unequal, be capable of eluding him, …..for a small force is but booty for one more powerful.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sun Tzu" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-art-of-using-troops-is-this-when-ten-to-the-enemy-s-one-surround/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f99/sun-tzu-283_art_the-art-of-using-troops-is-this-when-ten_2243434.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f99/sun-tzu-283_art_the-art-of-using-troops-is-this-when-ten_2243434.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f99/sun-tzu-283_art_the-art-of-using-troops-is-this-when-ten_2243434.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The art of using troops is this: …When ten to the enemy's one, surround him; …When five times his strength…” — Sun Tzu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 7, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: recklessness, which leads to destruction; cowardice, which leads to capture; a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults; a delicacy of honour, which is sensitive to shame; over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sun Tzu" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/there-are-five-dangerous-faults-which-may-affect-a-general/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5bd/sun-tzu-283_art_there-are-five-dangerous-faults-which-ma_2431177.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5bd/sun-tzu-283_art_there-are-five-dangerous-faults-which-ma_2431177.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5bd/sun-tzu-283_art_there-are-five-dangerous-faults-which-ma_2431177.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: recklessness, which leads to destruction…” — Sun Tzu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 8, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There are five kinds of incendiary attack: The first is called setting fire to personnel; the second, to stores; the third, to transport vehicles and equipment; the fourth, to munitions; the fifth, to supply installations...In all cases an army must understand the changes induced by the five kinds of incendiary attack, and make use of logistical calculations to address them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sun Tzu" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/there-are-five-kinds-of-incendiary-attack-the-first-is-called-setting/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40b/sun-tzu-283_addresses_there-are-five-kinds-of-incendiary-attac_2771496.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40b/sun-tzu-283_addresses_there-are-five-kinds-of-incendiary-attac_2771496.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40b/sun-tzu-283_addresses_there-are-five-kinds-of-incendiary-attac_2771496.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There are five kinds of incendiary attack: The first is called setting fire to personnel; the second, to…” — Sun Tzu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } } ] }, { "@type": "CollectionPage", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/five/sun-tzu/#webpage", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/five/sun-tzu/", "name": "Five Quotes by Sun Tzu", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/five/sun-tzu/#itemlist" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/sun-tzu-283_art_there-are-not-more-than-five-musical-not_171702.jpg" }, "description": "8 Five quotes by Sun Tzu. 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