Quotes from Sun Tzu

took part in the expedition, and also that its success was largely due to the dash and enterprise of Fu Kai, Ho Lu's younger brother, it is not easy to see how yet another general could have played a very prominent

Understand both yourself and your enemy, and you shall always emerge victorious

He who is not sage and wise, humane and just, cannot use secret agent.s. And he who is not delicate and subtle cannot get the truth out of them.

If fighting is sure to result in victory, than you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding.

If your opponent is of choleric temper, irritate him.

Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.

Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.

Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and you know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and you know Earth, you may make your victory complete.

If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.

To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.

So the important thing in a military operation is victory, not persistence.

The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.

The one who figures on victory at headquarters before even doing battle is the one who has the most strategic factors on his side

Therefore a victorious army first wins and then seeks battle; a defeated army first battles and then seeks victory.

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

Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise, for the result is waste of time and general stagnation.

If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result is victory, then you must not fight, even at the ruler's bidding.

All war is based on deception.

Being unconquerable lies with yourself; being conquerable lies with your enemy.

If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him.

When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum. When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing.

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

What is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations.