Quotes About Strategy

If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle. [Chang Yu said: "Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the defensive." He adds: "Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack." It would be hard to find a better epitome of the root-principle of war.]

Si los parlamentarios del enemigo pronuncian discursos llenos de humildad, pero continúa con sus preparativos, es que va a avanzar.

19. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

A whole army may be robbed of its spirit; a commander-in-chief may be robbed of his presence of mind.

Recordar siempre el peligro cuando estás a salvo y el caos en tiempos de orden, permanece atento al peligro y al caos mientras no tengan todavía forma y evítalos antes de que se presenten; ésta es la mejor estrategia de todas.

Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity.

The crux of military operations lies in the pretense of accommodating one's self to the designs of the enemy.

The highest form of warfare Is to attack Strategy itself;

Los buenos generales son de otra manera: se comprometen hasta la muerte, pero no se aferran a la esperanza de sobrevivir; actúan de acuerdo con los acontecimientos en forma racional y realista sin dejarse llevar por las emociones ni estar sujetos a quedar confundidos. Cuando ven una buena oportunidad, son como tigres, en caso contrario cierran sus puertas. Su acción y su no acción son cuestiones de estrategia y no pueden ser complacidos ni enfadados.

When the enemy presents an opportunity, speedily take advantage of it. Anticipate him in seizing something he values and move in accordance with a date secretly fixed. The doctrine of war is to follow the enemy situation in order to decide on battle. Therefore at first be shy as a maiden. When the enemy gives you an opening be swift as a hare and he will be unable to withstand you.

Ask yourself which political leadership—your own or that of your enemy—is able to reject flatterers and draw close to the wise.

The Moral Law, Heaven, Earth, The Commander, Method, and Discipline. These Five Heads should be familiar to every general. He who knows them, will be victorious. He who knows them not, will fail.

conceal your dispositions, and you will be safe from the prying of the subtlest spies, from the machinations of the wisest brains.

Nota bene: this was in 207 B.C., and may well cause us to blush for the Christian armies that entered Peking in 1900 A.D.]

Si vas a colocar tu ejército en posición de observar al enemigo, atraviesa rápido las montañas y vigílalos desde un valle.

the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.

Follow the advantages and use the opportunity.

A path of war is the path of deception: -when you're strong, pretend to be weak -when you're close, pretend to be afar -if the enemy is strong, avoid him -if he's angry, confuse him -if his man are united, stir the conflict within them

Se há justas razões para se encolerizar, que o faça, mas não imite a ferocidade do tigre.

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

No te sitúes río abajo. No camines en contra de las corriente, ni en contra del viento.

In war, practice dissimulation, and you will succeed.

Un ejército prefiere un terreno elevado y evita un terreno bajo, aprecia la luz y detesta la oscuridad.

The most means victory, the least means defeat; none of it, a certain defeat.