Quotes by Sun Tzu
The skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting.
A swift, decisive action is worth more than a thousand carefully laid plans.
The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
A fortress is only as strong as the resolve of those who defend it.
A single grain of doubt can outweigh a mountain of certainty. Confirm, then act.
Deception, when skillfully employed, can turn the tide of any conflict.
A swift defeat is preferable to a prolonged, draining war. Cut losses, conserve strength.
Move swiftly like the wind and closely-formed like wood. Attack like the fire and be still like the mountain.
Know your enemy and know yourself, and in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.
To know when to fight and when not to fight, that is the ultimate victory.
Do not presume the enemy will not come; rather, prepare to meet him when he does.
Deception is the shadow of strength; never mistake it for the substance.
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.
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
When your enemy believes you are far, make certain you are near. When they believe you are weak, strike with all your might.
A surrounded army must be given a way out to retreat, or it will fight with the courage of despair.
He who dictates the terms of engagement has already secured the field.
The skillful leader conquers without violence; they persuade without threat.
A swift retreat, though seemingly a loss, may preserve the strength needed for a future victory.
Even the finest sword plunged into water will eventually rust. Constant vigilance requires constant maintenance.
Discipline is the foundation upon which true strength is built.
Know your enemy, know yourself, and a thousand battles will be fought without peril.
Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust. Constant vigilance is key.
Opportunity is a fleeting shadow; seize it when it appears.
Discipline your mind as you would discipline your army, for internal order leads to external victory.
Discipline your mind before you discipline your troops.
The greatest battles are fought not on the field, but within the mind.
Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained.
To know your enemy, you must first know yourself. To know yourself, you must look within, not without.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands.
Do not mistake activity for achievement. Strategic patience outweighs blind action.
The skillful leader prepares for opportunity as diligently as he avoids risk.
Adapt to your enemy, not the other way around. Water takes the shape of its container, so must you.
To secure victory, you must see the battlefield before the battle begins.
The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, his only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.
To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
Patience is the armor that guards against impulsive defeat.
The greatest victory is to subdue the enemy's army without fighting.
Deception is the sharpest blade. Use it wisely, for it cuts both ways.