Sun Tzu Quotes

414 quotes in 3055 categories

• If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory,… Bidding
• There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare. Benefiting
• He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. All
• The art of giving orders is not to try to rectify the minor blunders and not be swayed by petty doubts. Art
• Act after having made assessments. The one who first knows the measure of far and near wins - this is the rule of armed struggle. Act
• The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for… Advances
• The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. Beyond
• He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. Both
• Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared. Calamity
• Of all those in the army close to the commander none is more intimate than the secret agent; of all rewards none more liberal than… Agent
• Too frequent rewards indicate that the general is at the end of his resources; too frequent punishments that he is in acute distress. Acute
• Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance. Arrogance
• To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape. Enemy
• Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move. Army
• If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near. Believe
• What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease. Ancients
• When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum. When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is… Body
• 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… Affect
• Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they… Art
• If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder:… Any

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