Sun Tzu Quotes - Page 5

So the principles of warfare are: Do not depend on the enemy not coming, but depend on our readiness against him. Do not depend on the enemy not attacking, but depend on our position that cannot be attacked.

If you know both yourself and your enemy, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss.

Weigh the situation, then move.

When you know both yourself as well as your competition, you are never in danger. To know yourself and not others, gives you half a chance of winning. Knowing neither yourself or your competition puts you in a position to lose.

The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.

Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain

In conflict, straightforward actions generally lead to engagement, surprising actions generally lead to victory.

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.

Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuvering for advantageous positions.

If you follow the enemy's shifts and changes, you can always find a way to win.

Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day.

Those who do not know the plans of competitors cannot prepare alliances. Those who do not know the lay of the land cannot maneuver their forces. Those who do not use local guides cannot take advantage of the ground.

Set the troops to their tasks without imparting your designs.

Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards... Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.

Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.

When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.

Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him.

Know thy enemy and know thy self and you will win a hundred battles.

What is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.

So a military force has no constant formation, water has no constant shape: the ability to gain victory by changing and adapting according to the opponent is called genius.

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 will become double agents and available for our service. It is through the information brought by the double agent that we are able to acquire and employ local and inward spies. It is owing to his information, again, that we can cause the doomed spy to carry false tidings to the enemy.

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

The value of time, that is of being a little ahead of your opponent, often provides greater advantage than superior numbers or greater resources.

In desperate position, you must fight.

No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.