Sun Tzu Quotes

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

Like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more.

All warfare is based on deception. If your enemy is superior, evade him. If angry, irritate him. If equally matched, fight and if not: split and re-evaluate.

Those whose upper and lower ranks have the same desire are victorious.

When you are ignorant of the enemy but know yourself, your chances of winning or losing are equal.

Someone unfamiliar with the mountains and forests cannot advance [the team]. One who does not employ local guides cannot gain the advantage.

The dance of battle is always played to the same impatient rhythm. What begins in a surge of violent motion is always reduced to the perfectly still.

Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports.

And regulation entails organizational effectiveness, a chain of command, and a structure for logistical support.

Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous.

Therefore, to estimate the enemy situation and to calculate distances and the degree of difficulty of the terrain so as to control victory are virtues of the superior general.

The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities...It is best to win without fighting.

Unless you enter the tiger's lair, you cannot get hold of the tiger's cub's.

The nature of war is constant change.

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

Until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared

In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.

We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country.

With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up.

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.

The control of large numbers is possible, and like unto that of small numbers, if we subdivide them.

A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.

Set the troops to their tasks without imparting your designs.

It is imperative to contest all factions for complete victory, so the army is not garrisoned and the profit can be total. This is the law of strategic siege.

If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed.

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

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

Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.

Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never peril.

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

War is a matter of vital importance to the state; the province of life or death; the road to survival or ruin. It is mandatory that it be thoroughly studied.

If I am able to determine the enemy's dispositions while at the same time I conceal my own, then I can concentrate and he must divide.

To maintain an army at a distance causes the people to be impoverished.

In warfare, first lay plans which will ensure victory, and then lead your army to battle; if you will not begin with stratagem but rely on brute strength alone, victory will no longer be assured.

When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.

Be where your enemy is not.

Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home.

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

It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.

The height of strategy, is to attack your opponent's strategy.

Go into emptiness, strike voids, bypass what he defends hit him where he does not expect you.

The successful person has unusual skill at dealing with conflict and ensuring the best outcome for all.

When you shoot a bow and arrow, you aim at the clouds, not because you expect to hit them, but so that you may reach the distant target on the ground.

The supreme excellence is not to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles. The supreme excellence is to subdue the armies of your enemies without having to fight them.

When the enemy is at ease, be able to weary him; when well fed, to starve him; when at rest, to make him move. Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.

Use humility to make the enemy haughty. Tire them by flight. Cause division among them. When they are unprepared, attack and make your move when they do not expect it.

The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilize combined energy

There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefitted.

Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy... use the conquered foe to augment one's own strength.

With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies. Then you will be able to fight with advantage.