Quotes About Timing

the worst calamities that befall an army arise from hesitation

Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.

So long as victory can be attained,  stupid haste is preferable to clever dilatoriness.

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.

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.

A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return.

Sun Tzu said: Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.

I have heard that in war haste can be folly, but have never seen delay that was wise.

Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.

Once war is declared, he will not waste precious time in waiting for reinforcements, nor will he return his army back for fresh supplies, but crosses the enemy's frontier without delay.

The victorious army is victorious first and seeks battle later; the defeated army seeks battle first and seeks victory later.

The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim. Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.

passivity means waiting for an opportunity

He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. (2)

So morning energy is keen, midday energy slumps, evening energy recedes—therefore those skilled in use of arms avoid the keen energy and strike the slumping and receding. These are those who master energy.

Après un premier avantage, n'allez pas vous endormir ou vouloir donner à vos troupes un repos hors de saison. Poussez votre pointe avec la même rapidité qu'un torrent qui se précipiterait de mille toises de haut. Que votre ennemi n'ait pas le temps de se reconnaître, et ne pensez à recueillir les fruits de votre victoire que lorsque sa défaite entière vous aura mis en état de le faire sûrement, avec loisir et tranquillité.

although I have heard of reckless haste in war, I have never seen wise delay.

Como se dice comúnmente, sé rápido como el trueno que retumba antes de que hayas podido taparte los oídos, veloz como el relámpago que relumbra antes de haber podido pestañear.

You cannot shut your ears to the thunder or your eyes to the lighting—so rapid are they.' Likewise, an attack should be made so quickly that it cannot be parried.

One who sets the entire army in motion to chase an advantage will not attain it.

No principle in the world is always right, and no thing is always wrong. What was used yesterday may be rejected today, what is rejected now may be used later on. This use or disuse has no fixed right or wrong. To avail yourself of opportunities at just the right time, responding to events without being set in your ways, is in the domain of wisdom. If your wisdom is insufficient, even if you are widely learned and highly skilled, you'll come to an impasse wherever you go.

Triunfan aquellos que: Saben cuándo luchar y cuando no.

The nature of water is that it avoids heights and hastens to the lowlands. When a dam is broken, the water cascades with irresistible force. Now the shape of an army resembles water. Take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness; attack him when he does not expect it; avoid his strength and strike his emptiness, and like water, none can oppose you.

When an advancing army enemy crosses water do not meet him at the water's edge. It is advantageous to allow half his force to cross and then strike.