Sun Tzu Of Quotations

Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.

The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.

To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.

The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

Know yourself and you will win all battles.

To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.

Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain

You can ensure the success of your attacks if you only attack places that are undefended. You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked. Therefore, that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands

Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise, for the result is waste of time and general stagnation.

Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.

He who wishes to fight must first count the cost

Know thy self, know thy enemy.

Rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him

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

Be where your enemy is not.

If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is tempermental, 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.

He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.

Until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared

Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.

Fierce language and pretentious advances are signs that the enemy is about to retreat.

Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength.

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

In warfare, there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent will succeed and win.

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

Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.

The Art of War is self-explanatory

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

One who has few must prepare against the enemy; one who has many makes the enemy prepare against him.

The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat: - let such a one be dismissed!

There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.

The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success.

Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is about to advance. Violent language and driving forward as if to the attack are signs that he will retreat.

At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.

If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle

The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points; and his forces being thus distributed in many directions, the numbers we shall have to face at any given point will be proportionately few.

If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.