Sun Tzu
Of all those in the army close to the commander, none is more intimate than the secret agent.Collection: Army
the leader of armies is the arbiter of the people's fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril.Collection: Army
Against those skilled in attack, an enemy does not know where to defend; against the experts in defense, the enemy does not know where to attack.Collection: Enemy
When orders are consistently trustworthy and observed, the relationship of a commander with his troops is satisfactory.Collection: Art
In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.Collection: Art Of War
Should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will weaken his van; should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right; should he strengthen his right, he will weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.Collection: Art
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.Collection: Distance
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.Collection: Art
Fighting with a large army under your command is nowise different from fighting with a small one: it is merely a question of instituting signs and signals.Collection: Art
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.Collection: Military
The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success.Collection: Leadership
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.Collection: War
There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.Collection: Military
When the enemy's envoy's speak in humble terms, but continues his preparations, he will advance. When their language is deceptive but the enemy pretentiously advances, he will retreat. When the envoys speak in apologetic terms, he wishes a respite. When without a previous understanding the enemy asks for a truce, he is plotting. When the enemy sees an advantage but does not advance to seize it, he is fatigued.Collection: Art
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. If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory. If we know that the enemy is open to attack, and also know that our men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the nature of the ground makes fighting impracticable, we have still gone only halfway towards victory.Collection: Art
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.Collection: Strength
If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless.Collection: War
If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders are clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers.Collection: War
Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled against another ten times its size, the result will be the flight of the former.Collection: Art
If I wish to engage, then the enemy, for all his high ramparts and deep moat, cannot avoid engagement; I attack that which he is obliged to rescue.Collection: War
Amid the turmoil and tumult of battle, there may be seeming disorder and yet no real disorder at all.Collection: Real
If asked how to cope with a great host of the enemy in orderly array and on the point of marching to the attack, I should say: "Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will." Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.Collection: Art
Being unconquerable lies with yourself; being conquerable lies with your enemy.Collection: Lying
It is the rule in war, if ten times the enemy's strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, be able to divide them; if equal, engage them; if fewer, defend against them; if weaker, be able to avoid them.Collection: Art
Of all rewards none [is] more liberal than those given to secret agents.Collection: Secret
If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding.Collection: War
It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.Collection: War
Ponder and deliberate before you make your move. He will conquer who has learned the artifice of deviation. Such is the art of maneuvering.Collection: Art
Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.Collection: Art
Know thy self, know thy enemy.Collection: Art Of War
There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefitted.Collection: Country
When he pretends to flee, do not pursue.Collection: Pursue
These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.Collection: Art
Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man.Collection: Art
The skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting.Collection: Art
Be the first to seize intersecting ground, that is ground which lies the intersections of borders or intersections of main thoroughfares of commerce and travel. Your occupation of it gives you access to all who border it and all who would covet it. On intersecting ground, if you establish alliances you are safe, if you lose alliances you are in peril.Collection: Art
He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.Collection: War
To Subdue an enemy without fighting is the greatest of skillsCollection: Fighting
He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.Collection: Art Of War
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.Collection: Art
To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape.Collection: War
He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.Collection: War
Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.Collection: Art
Go into emptiness, strike voids, bypass what he defends hit him where he does not expect you.Collection: Doe
Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.Collection: Encouragement
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.Collection: Country
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.Collection: Art
For the wise man delights in establishing his merit, the brave man likes to show his courage in action, the covetous man is quick at seizing advantages, and the stupid man has no fear of death.Collection: Wise