Sun Tzu Quotes about War - Page 4

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.

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

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.

He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.

Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.

The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the Ch'ang mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both.

And therefore those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him.

In the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.

Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.

What is of the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed: One cannot afford to neglect opportunity.

A sovereign of high character and intelligence must be able to know the right man, should place the responsibility on him, and expect results.

Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve.

Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.

It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order.

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem 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.

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.

Attack where he is unprepared; sally forth when he does not expect you.

Act after having made assessments. The one who first knows the measure of far and near wins - this is the rule of armed struggle.