Quotes About Decision-making

Employing the officers of his army without discrimination, through ignorance of the military principle of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers.

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

How many times in your life could you have abated conflicts if you had taken the time to deliberate on your problems in quiet contemplation—for example, taking a quiet walk—to think about your capabilities and limitations, and the likely gains and losses of taking action? By removing yourself from the immediate, stressful situation, you also take out the emotion that often prompts you to make rash, thoughtless decisions. The

8.    EARTH comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death. 9.    The COMMANDER stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness.

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

He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious.

Therefore the considerations of the intelligent always include both benefit and harm. As they consider benefit, their work can expand; as they consider harm, their troubles can be resolved.

The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin.

The wise general in his deliberations must consider both favorable and unfavorable factors. He ponders the dangers inherent in the advantages, and the advantages inherent in the dangers. By taking into account the favorable factors, he makes his plan feasible; by taking into account the unfavorable, he may resolve the difficulties. Advantage and disadvantage are mutually reproductive. The enlightened deliberate.

Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical. No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.

14.  By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat. 15.  The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer:—let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat:—let such a one be dismissed!

the wise leader's plans, considerations of advantage and of disadvantage will be blended together.

At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him. He carries his men deep into hostile territory before he shows his hand.

Un grand général doit savoir l'art des changements. S'il s'en tient à une connaissance vague de certains principes, à une application routinière des règles de l'art, si ses méthodes de commandement sont dépourvues de souplesse, s'il examine les situations conformément à quelques schémas, s'il prend ses résolutions d'une manière mécanique, il ne mérite pas de commander.

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

20. Thus it may be known that the leader of armies is the arbiter of the people's fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril.

Those unable to understand the dangers inherent in employing troops are equally unable to understand the advantageous ways of doing so.

An enlightened ruler thinks carefully; effective general goes to the end.

Hay que reflexionar y deliberar antes de tomar cualquier decisión.

Triunfan aquellos que: Saben cuándo luchar y cuando no.

Si un general no es valiente, será incapaz de conquistar las dudas y de desarrollar grandes planes | Estimativos

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.

Lo que de mí depende, puedo hacerlo; lo que depende del enemigo es incierto. | Disposiciones

A wise leader always considers about gains and damages in his decisions.