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.

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

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

All battles are won before they start.

To conquer the enemy without resorting to war is the most desirable. The highest form of generalship is to conquer the enemy by strategy.

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

Management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization.

If an enemy has alliances, the problem is grave and the enemy's position strong; if he has no alliances, the problem is minor and the enemy's position weak.

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.

In conflict, straightforward actions generally lead to engagement, surprising actions generally lead to victory.

The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands

Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.

Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.

When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.

Until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared

Getting people to fight by letting the force of momentum work is like rolling logs and rocks. Logs and rocks are still when in a secure place, but roll on an incline; they remain stationary if square, they roll if round. Therefore, when people are skillfully led into battle, the momentum is like that of round rocks rolling down a high mountain - this is force.

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

Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

When one treats people with benevolence, justice and righteousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders.

To plan secretly, to move surreptitiously, to foil the enemy's intentions and balk his schemes, so that at last the day may be won without shedding a drop of blood.

Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is about to advance. Violent language and driving forward as if to the attack are signs that he will retreat.

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

Swift as the wind. Quiet as the forest. Conquer like the fire. Steady as the mountain

If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is tempermental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

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.

If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.

Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business.

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

We cannot enter into alliance with neighbouring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country - its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides.

Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain

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

When he pretends to flee, do not pursue.

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

You can prevent your opponent from defeating you through defense, but you cannot defeat him without taking the offensive.

If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle

Victory is the main object in war.

The expert in battle seeks his victory from strategic advantage and does not demand it from his men.

When your weapons are dulled and ardour damped, your strength exhausted and treasure spent, neighboring rulers will take advantage of your distress to act. And even though you have wise counsellors, none will be able to lay good plans for the future. Thus, while we have heard of blundering swiftness in war, we have not yet seen a clever operation that was prolonged.

Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical.

The essential factor of military success is speed, that is taking advantage of others' unpreparedness or lack of foresight, their failure to catch up, going by routes they do not expect, attacking where they are not on guard. This you cannot accomplish with hesitation.

Hostile armies may face each other for years, striving for the victory which is decided in a single day. This being so, to remain in ignorance of the enemy's condition simply because one grudges the outlay of a hundred ounces of silver in honors and emoluments, is the height of inhumanity.

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

Act after having made assessments. The one who first knows the measure of far and near wins - this is the rule of armed struggle.

The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.

Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy; forceful execution of even a poor plan can often bring victory.

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points; and his forces being thus distributed in many directions, the numbers we shall have to face at any given point will be proportionately few.

When your opponent gives you an opening, be swift as a hare.