All Sun Tzu Quotes
- Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men. Art
- Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity. Art
- They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. Art
- Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports. Art
- Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business. Art
- When a general, unable to estimate the enemy's strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a… Allows
- He who knows things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will… Art
- Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient. Army
- There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune on his army: By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant… Adaptation
- The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the… Ability
- When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the nature of a… Art
- Now a soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is only on… Art
- When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food. Art
- If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst. Army
- If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the… Afoot
- Thus the skilful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand. Army
- It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order. Art
- He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance. Able
- Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. He… All
- Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without… Any