Quotes by Sun Tzu

“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.”

“The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach.”

“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.”

“Danger has a bracing effect.”

“first lay plans which will ensure victory, and then lead your army to battle; if you will not begin with stratagem but rely on brute strength alone, victory will no longer be assured”

“If we wish to wrest an advantage from the enemy, we must not fix our minds on that alone, but allow for the possibility of the enemy also doing some harm to us, and let this enter as a factor into ...”

“To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.”

“Be stern in the council-chamber, [Show no weakness, and insist on your plans being ratified by the sovereign.] so that you may control the situation.”

“At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.”

“Ground on which we can only be saved from destruction by fighting without delay, is desperate ground.”

“When an invading force crosses a river in its onward march, do not advance to meet it in mid-stream. It will be best to let half the army get across, and then deliver your attack.”

“Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.”

“Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive,knowing yourself enables you to stand onthe defensive.”

“If his forces are united, separate them.”

“who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits”

“do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat”

“Conceal your dispositions, and your condition will remain secret, which leads to victory; show your dispositions, and your condition will become patent, which leads to defeat.”

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

“These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.”