Quotes By Sun Tzu

For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards.

Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.

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

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

You have to believe in yourself.

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

Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack.

Of all those in the army close to the commander none is more intimate than the secret agent; of all rewards none more liberal than those given to secret agents; of all matters none is more confidential than those relating to secret operations.

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.

If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.

Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?

To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.

All war is based on deception.

Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge.

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 you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.

When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.