Sun Tzu Quotes about Army

A leader leads by example not by force.

The true objective of war is peace.

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

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.

When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

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

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.

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.

He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.

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

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.

There are routes not to be followed, armies not to be attacked, citadels not to be besieged, territory not to be fought over.

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

Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle .... They conquer by strategy.

It is ten thousand times cheaper to pay the best spies lavishly than even a tiny army poorly.

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

Thus the skilful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.

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

As water shapes its flow in accordance with the ground, so an army manages its victory in accordance with the situation of the enemy.

In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in his turn; then, when part of his army has come out, we may deliver our attack with advantage.

To capture the enemy's entire army is better than to destroy it; to take intact a regiment, a company, or a squad is better than to destroy them. For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the supreme of excellence. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence.

Without harmony in the State, no military expedition can be undertaken; without harmony in the army, no battle array can be formed.

Too frequent rewards indicate that the general is at the end of his resources; too frequent punishments that he is in acute distress.

The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.

It is through the dispositions of an army that its condition may be discovered. Conceal your dispositions, and your condition will remain secret, which leads to victory,; show your dispositions, and your condition will become patent, which leads to defeat.