Quotes from Sun Tzu

He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.

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

If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.

A good commander is benevolent and unconcerned with fame.

The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilize combined energy

The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers.

If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.

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

Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.

It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you. Give them instructions and care for them. Thus doubled agents are recruited and used.

If a battle can not be won do not fight it.

When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.

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

Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability.

Factors in the art of warfare are: First, calculations; second, quantities; third, logistics; fourth, the balance of power; and fifth, the possibility of victory is based on the balance of power.

It is a doctrine of war not to assume the enemy will not come, but rather to rely on one's readiness to meet him; not to presume that he will not attack, but rather to make one's self invincible.

Should one ask: 'how do I cope with a well-ordered enemy host about to attack me?' I reply: seize something he cherishes and he will conform to your desires.

The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.

Fighting with a large army under your command is nowise different from fighting with a small one: it is merely a question of instituting signs and signals.

They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness.

The skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting.

Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling.

If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed.

Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.