Quotes from Sun Tzu

If one man slay another of set purpose, he himself may rightfully be slain. He who relies solely on warlike measures shall be exterminated; he who relies solely on peaceful measures shall perish

The only chance of life lies in giving up all hope of it

An orderly mess is founded on a careful schedule; a bold fear is founded on a potential energy; a strong weakness is founded on the formation of the troops.

Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: (1) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. (2) He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. (3) He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. (4) He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. (5) He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.

Cuando las órdenes son razonables, justas, sencillas, claras y consecuentes, existe una satisfacción recíproca entre el líder y el grupo.

The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally, but a power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers, and distances, constitutes the test of a great general. He, who knows these things, and in fighting, puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He, who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.

War is a matter of vital importance to the State; the province of life or death; the road to survival or ruin. It is mandatory that it be thoroughly studied.

los que no son totalmente conscientes de las desventajas de servirse de las armas no pueden ser totalmente conscientes de las ventajas de utilizarlas.

The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known

Muzaffer olacak bir ordu önce zafer kazanaca?? ortam? yarat?r, sonra düÅŸmanla savaÅŸa giriÅŸir; yenilecek ordu önce düÅŸmana savaÅŸ açar, sonra savaÅŸ s?ras?nda galip gelecek bir ÅŸans doÄŸmas?n? bekler.

the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.

Los habitantes constituyen la base de un país, los alimentos son la felicidad del pueblo. El príncipe debe respetar este hecho y ser sobrio y austero en sus gastos públicos.

Connais toi toi-même, connais ton ennemi, ta victoire ne sera jamais mise en danger. Connais le terrain, connais ton temps, ta victoire sera alors totale.

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.

Él debe ser capaz de confundir a sus oficiales y soldados con informes y presentaciones falsas, y así mantenerlos en la ignorancia total.

Quando soffia, il vento non lascia traccia, e muta direzione inaspettatamente. La maestosità della foresta è data dall'ordine. Il fuoco è avido perché dietro di sé non lascia un filo d'erba. Quando prendi posizione, sii fermo come la montagna».

The terrain leads to measurements; The measurements lead to estimates; The estimates lead to calculations; The calculations lead to weighing the options; The weighing leads to victory.5

Move only if there is a real advantage to be gained.

Nunca se debe atacar por cólera y con prisas. Es aconsejable tomarse tiempo en la planificación y coordinación del plan.

Good warriors take their stand on ground where they cannot lose, and do not overlook conditions that make an opponent prone to defeat.

When a force Has fallen into danger, It can Snatch victory From defeat.

he not honestly believed the contrary. And it is precisely on such a point that the judgment of an educated Chinaman will carry most weight. Other internal evidence is not far to seek. Thus in XIII. ss. 1, there is an unmistakable allusion to the ancient system

Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans; the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy's army in the field; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.

If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are