Quotes from Sun Tzu

threw light upon the principles of war. It is obvious enough that Ssu-ma Ch`ien at least had no doubt about the reality of Sun Wu as

He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.

Victories of a skillful warrior aren't extraordinary, but flawless because they're unavoidable.

many words. Sun Tzu's 13 Chapters and Wu Ch`i's Art of War are the two books that people commonly refer to on the subject of military matters. Both of them are widely distributed, so I will not discuss

I heard that in war, rushing is madness, but I've never seen postponing that was wise.

The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable

many people beat their meat but only true warriors defeat it

Use victory over an enemy to bolster your own strenght.

To command many is equal as to command few; it's the question of divide.

L'invincibilité se trouve dans la défense, la possibilité de victoire dans l'attaque.

17. All warfare is based on deception. 18. 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.

In war, appreciate victory, not a prolonged campaign.

In war, attack directly; secure your victory indirectly

25. Considera teus soldados como teus filhos e eles te seguirão até o mais profundo dos vales; cuida deles como teus próprios amados filhos e eles estarão a teu lado, até mesmo para a morte.

Ser violento al principio y terminar después temiendo a los propios soldados es el colmo de la ineptitud.

Within the dynamic of war, there's only direct and indirect, but their variations are inexhaustible. They are born one from the other within infinite tireless circle.

A wise general is a master of fate; he holds in his hands peace or destruction of his people.

SavaÅŸ kand?rmacal? bir iÅŸtir. Bu nedenle vurabilecekken vuramayacakm?? gibi göstermek, sald?racakken sald?ramayacakm?? gibi göstermek, yakla??rken uzakla??yrmuÅŸ gibi göstermek, uzakla??rken yak?nla??yormuÅŸ gibi göstermek gerekir.

A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.

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

En asuntos militares, no es necesariamente más beneficioso ser superior en fuerzas, sólo evitar actuar con violencia innecesaria; es suficiente con consolidar tu poder, hacer estimaciones sobre el enemigo y conseguir reunir tropas; eso es todo.

Defeat your enemy from within.

he will win who knows when to fight, and when not to fight

1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to the State. 2. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected. 3. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one's deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field. 4. These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.