Quotes from Sun Tzu

If not in the interests of the state, do not act. If you cannot succeed, do not use troops. If you are not in danger, do not fight.

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

Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.

He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.

Thus, though I have heard of successful military operations that were clumsy but swift, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.

Victory is the main object in war.

Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation.

According to my assessment, even if you have many more troops than others, how can that help you to victory?

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

Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans.

When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.

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

Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.

There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.

If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary.

War is a matter of vital importance to the state.

Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.

Bestow rewards without respect to customary practice; publish orders without respect to precedent. Thus you may employ the entire army as you would one man.

Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuver. What is difficult about maneuver is to make the devious route the most direct and to turn misfortune to advantage.

Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.

One hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the most skillful, subduing the other's military without battle is the most skillful.

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

If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.

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 even having to fight them.