Skip to content

Art of war Quote by Sun Tzu

“Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.” quote by Sun Tzu — Download Open image

“Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.”

About This Quote

Source Treatise: The Art of War, 5th century BC

Peace offers without binding agreements are likely deceptive.

In simple terms: Untrusted peace proposals hide agendas.

Key Takeaway

Seek written guarantees before trusting peace.

Themes

trust politics strategy

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

strategic philosophical

When to use this quote

negotiations
international treaties
conflict resolution

Key Concepts

diplomacy risk assessment integrity

Questions to Reflect On

What signs indicate a sincere peace offer?
When is a verbal pact sufficient?

A Different Perspective

May ignore genuine goodwill.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.9 out of 5 (9 ratings)

Art of war Covenant Covenant Indicate Peace Peace Proposals Plot Proposal Proposals Unaccompanied Sworn Covenant Unaccompanied Sworn

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…

Image

It is according to the shapes that I lay the plans for victory, but the multitude does not comprehend this. Although everyone can see…

Image

Go into emptiness, strike voids, bypass what he defends hit him where he does not expect you.

Image

“In a similar way, The Art of War pinpoints anger and greed as fundamental causes of defeat.”

Image

“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…

Image

Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.

Image

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…

Image

“So long as victory can be attained, stupid haste is preferable to clever dilatoriness.”

Image

“You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.”

Image

“Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make…

Image

If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely…

Image

“The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes…

Image

Explore all 685 Sun Tzu quotes

More Art of war quotes

“In a similar way, The Art of War pinpoints anger and greed as fundamental causes of defeat.”

Image

Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.

Image

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…

Image

There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Image

That prince is highly esteemed who conveys this impression of himself, and he who is highly esteemed is not easily conspired against; for, provided…

Niccolo Machiavelli

Image

I believe that it is possible for one to praise, without concern, any man after he is dead since every reason and supervision for…

Niccolo Machiavelli

Image

If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely…

Image

In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.

Image

“In the art of war, if you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the approaching battles. But if you know…

Image

They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness.

Image

In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory. In…

Image

Do not press an enemy at bay.

Image

Browse all 404 Art of war quotes