War Quotes

12347 quotes by 4790 authors

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. Strike at its… — Sun Tzu
We cannot enter into alliance with neighbouring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the… — Sun Tzu
Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources. — Sun Tzu
No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique. — Sun Tzu
What enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge. — Sun Tzu
Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation. — Sun Tzu
Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men. — Sun Tzu
Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity. — Sun Tzu
They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. — Sun Tzu
Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports. — Sun Tzu
Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business. — Sun Tzu
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… — Sun Tzu
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… — Sun Tzu
Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient. — Sun Tzu
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… — Sun Tzu
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… — Sun Tzu
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… — Sun Tzu
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… — Sun Tzu
When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food. — Sun Tzu
If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst. — Sun Tzu

Who Wrote These War Quotes

4,790 authors contributed a total of 12,347 War Quotes, led by these top contributors: