War - Sun Tzu’s Art of War - Quotes

A wise general forms a plan in a tent and settles a victory at even a distance of one thousand miles. - Sun Tzu

Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. - Sun Tzu

Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life. Hence the enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution. This is the way to keep a country at peace and an army intact. - Sun Tzu

For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill. Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting. - Sun Tzu

If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles. - Sun Tzu

In executing an Artful Strategy: When ten times greater, surround them; When five times greater, attack them; When two times greater, scatter them. If the opponent is ready to challenge: When fewer in number, be ready to evade them; When unequal to the match, be ready to avoid them. Even when the smaller opponents have a strong position, the larger opponent will capture them. - Sun Tzu

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt. - Sun Tzu

Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot. - Sun Tzu

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

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

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. - Sun Tzu

The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. - Sun Tzu

The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. - Sun Tzu

The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim. - Sun Tzu

There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited. - Sun Tzu

Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy. - Sun Tzu

War is based on deception. - Sun Tzu

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

When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard. - Sun Tzu

Winning Strategists are certain of triumph before seeking a challenge. Losing Strategists are certain to challenge before seeking a triumph. - Sun Tzu