Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"For 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."
94 Quotes
"For 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."
Sun Tzu, The Art of 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."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst. [One may know the condition of a whole army from the behavior of a single man.]"
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away..."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible; and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"Bravery without forethought, causes a man to fight blindly and desperately like a mad bull. Such an opponent, must not be encountered with brute force, but may be lured into an ambush and slain."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent."
Sun Tzu, The Art of 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."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear 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."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, 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 ."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
"When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
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