Sun Tzu Quotes - Page 2

mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy
Sun Tzu
If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.
Sun Tzu
In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity
Sun Tzu
Understand both yourself and your enemy, and you shall always emerge victorious
Sun Tzu
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 will stand by you even unto death.
Sun Tzu
If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive;and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attachedto you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless.
Sun Tzu
War is like a fire - if you do not put it out, it will burn itself out.
Sun Tzu
When you start a fire, be to windward of it. Do not attack from the leeward.
Sun Tzu
the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
Sun Tzu
Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home.
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 him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.
Sun Tzu
For should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will weaken his van; should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right; should he strengthen his right, he will weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.
Sun Tzu
If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high rampart and a deep ditch. All we need do is attack some other place that he will be obliged to relieve.
Sun Tzu
Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.
Sun Tzu
Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength.
Sun Tzu
Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.
Sun Tzu
If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst. [One may know the condition of a whole army from the behavior of a single man.]
Sun Tzu
Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible; and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands.
Sun Tzu
When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away...
Sun Tzu
Bravery without forethought, causes a man to fight blindly and desperately like a mad bull.  Such an opponent, must not be encountered with brute force, but may be lured into an ambush and slain.
Sun Tzu
Be where your enemy is not.
Sun Tzu
He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
Sun Tzu
The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.
Sun Tzu
If your opponent is of choleric temper,  seek to irritate him.  Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
Sun Tzu
There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.
Sun Tzu
Great results, can be achieved with small forces.
Sun Tzu
Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.
Sun Tzu
When one treats people with benevolence, justice, and righteoousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders'.
Sun Tzu
One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all.
Sun Tzu
When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.
Sun Tzu
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.
Sun Tzu
who wishes to fight must first count the cost
Sun Tzu
To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.
Sun Tzu
There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.
Sun Tzu
Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.
Sun Tzu
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.
Sun Tzu
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
Sun Tzu
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 .
Sun Tzu
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
Sun Tzu
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
Sun Tzu
Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate.
Sun Tzu
You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended.You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.
Sun Tzu
Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
Sun Tzu
One hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the most skillful, subduing the other's military without battle is the most skillful.
Sun Tzu
Foreknowledge cannot be gotten from ghosts and spirits, cannot be had by analogy, cannot be found out by calculation. It must be obtained from people, people who know the conditions of the enemy.
Sun Tzu
Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.
Sun Tzu
The wise warrior avoids the battle.
Sun Tzu
There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard. There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combinationthey produce more hues than can ever been seen.There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations ofthem yield more flavours than can ever be tasted.
Sun Tzu
Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.
Sun Tzu