Sun Tzu
Balk the enemy's power; force him to reveal himself.Collection: Power
The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.Collection: Good
There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited.Collection: War
Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.Collection: Veterans
Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack.Collection: Success
He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.Collection: Leadership
Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.Collection: War
The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.Collection: War
In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good.Collection: Good
If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.Collection: Men
A good commander is benevolent and unconcerned with fame.Collection: Good
Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.Collection: Death
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.Collection: Money
All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.Collection: Men
Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.Collection: War
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.Collection: War
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.Collection: War
Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge.Collection: Men
The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.Collection: Chance
The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.Collection: Good
There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.Collection: War
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.Collection: War
The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.Collection: Good
If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.Collection: Fear
Victory usually goes to the army who has better trained officers and men.Collection: Men
Quickness is the essence of the war.Collection: War
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.Collection: Great
Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.Collection: War
Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price.Collection: Military
The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.Collection: Art Of War
It is more important to outhink your enemy, than to outfight himCollection: Enemy
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.Collection: Military
In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.Collection: Art
Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.Collection: Opportunity
If you are strong, appear weak. But if you are weak, appear strong.Collection: Strong
If a battle can not be won do not fight it.Collection: Art
One need not destroy one's enemy. One need only destroy his willingness to engage.Collection: War
Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow.Collection: Change
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.Collection: Business
There is an intelligent way to eat a live frog - I just don't know what it is.Collection: Intelligent
Great results, can be achieved with small forces.Collection: Art
All wars are won or lost before they are ever fought.Collection: War
Opportunities multiply as they are seized.Collection: Inspirational
Swift as the wind. Quiet as the forest. Conquer like the fire. Steady as the mountainCollection: Art
The height of strategy, is to attack your opponent's strategy.Collection: Opponents
Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.Collection: Art
All warfare is based on deception. Therefore, when capable, feign incapacity; when active, inactivity. When near, make it appear that you are far away; when far away, that you are to lure him; feign disorder and strike him. When he concentrates, prepare against him; where he is strong, avoid him. Anger his general and confuse him. Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.Collection: Strong
A warrior who is prepared to fight must also be prepared to die.Collection: Fighting
A leader leads by example not by force.Collection: Encouragement
The true objective of war is peace.Collection: War