Sun Tzu Quotes

Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.

There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.

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

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

Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.

As water has no constant form, there are in war no constant conditions.

I will be able to forecast which side will be victorious and which defeated.

Appraise war in terms of the fundamental factors. The first of these factors is moral influence.

And therefore only the enlightened sovereign and the worthy general who are able to use the most intelligent people as agents are certain to achieve great things.

Without local guides, your enemy employs the land as a weapon against you.

There is an intelligent way to eat a live frog - I just don't know what it is.

If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.

Should the enemy forestall you in occupying a pass, do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it is weakly garrisoned.

If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary.

Therefore a victorious army first wins and then seeks battle; a defeated army first battles and then seeks victory.

If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.

No nation has ever benefited from a prolonged war.

At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.

All battles are won before they start.

When orders are consistently trustworthy and observed, the relationship of a commander with his troops is satisfactory.

To perceive victory when it is known to all is not really skilful. Everyone calls victory in battle good, but it is not really good.

Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.

Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.

Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans.

Where the army is, prices are high; when prices rise the wealth of the people is exhausted.

Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation.

Victory is the main object in war.

Apparent confusion is a product of good order; apparent cowardice, of courage; apparent weakness, of strength.

Thus, though I have heard of successful military operations that were clumsy but swift, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.

He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.

Subjugating the enemy's army without fighting is the true pinnacle of excellence.

Those skilled in attack move as from above the nine-fold heavens. Thus they are capable both of protecting themselves and of gaining complete victory.

When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.

According to my assessment, even if you have many more troops than others, how can that help you to victory?

These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.

When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporising ground.

The one who figures on victory at headquarters before even doing battle is the one who has the most strategic factors on his side.

Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and you know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you now Heaven and you know Earth, you may make your victory complete.

The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming.

Winning isn't enough. The acme of all skill is to defeat your enemy before taking the field.

If quick, I survive. If not quick, I am lost. This is death.

Ponder and deliberate before you make your move. He will conquer who has learned the artifice of deviation. Such is the art of maneuvering.

Of all rewards none [is] more liberal than those given to secret agents.

Bestow rewards without respect to customary practice; publish orders without respect to precedent. Thus you may employ the entire army as you would one man.

The Art of War is self-explanatory

Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.

War is a matter of vital importance to the state.

Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuver. What is difficult about maneuver is to make the devious route the most direct and to turn misfortune to advantage.

The wise warrior avoids the battle.

Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.