Sun Tzu Quotes - Page 6

Agitate him and ascertain the pattern of his movement.

The expert in battle seeks his victory from strategic advantage and does not demand it from his men.

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

Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy; forceful execution of even a poor plan can often bring victory.

So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.

He who knows things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.

When one treats people with benevolence, justice and righteousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders.

Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical.

In war, numbers alone confer no advantage. Do not advance relying on sheer military power.

Generally, management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization. And to control many is the same as to control few. This is a matter of formations and signals.

When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixed duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization.

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.

What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.

To Subdue an enemy without fighting is the greatest of skills

The good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.

In war, practice dissimulation and you will succeed.

Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.

Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business.

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.

If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.

He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.

All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.

When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.

The military has no constant form, just as water has no constant shape - adapt as you face the enemy, without letting them know beforehand what you are going to do.

Confront them with annihilation, and they will then survive; plunge them into a deadly situation, and they will then live. When people fall into danger, they are then able to strive for victory.