Quotes About Tactics

What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.

One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.

Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.

One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all.

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

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.

If your opponent is of choleric temper,  seek to irritate him.  Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.

Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him.

There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.

Great results, can be achieved with small forces.

Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm

Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.

If quick, I survive. If not quick, I am lost. This is death.

Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the defensive.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

Bravery without forethought, causes a man to fight blindly and desperately like a mad bull.  Such an opponent, must not be encountered with brute force, but may be lured into an ambush and slain.

mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy

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.

He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.

Plan for what it is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.

Every battle is won before it's ever fought.

If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.