Sun Tzu Quotes

"Speed is the essence of war."

"Opportunities multiply as they are seized."

"A leader leads by example not by force."

"To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape."

"What is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations."

"Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him."

"There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare."

"He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious."

"Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy."

"One defends when his strength is inadequate, he attacks when it is abundant."

"Management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization."

"Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move."

"Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley."

"Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat."

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."

"Show him there is a road to safety, and so create in his mind the idea that there is an alternative to death. Then strike."

"For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill."

"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 because of timing."

"Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate."

"Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory."

"The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected."

"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 his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom."

"It is the rule in war, if ten times the enemy's strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, engage them; if equal, be able to divide them; if fewer, be able to evade them; if weaker, be able to avoid them."

"In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. So, too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them."

"It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle."

"If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected."

Compiled by Thomas George
editor@Wisdom-of-the-Wise.com