Quotes from Sun Tzu

Know the enemy and know yourself.

When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.

Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise, for the result is waste of time and general stagnation.

All war is based on deception.

Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate.

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

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night.

When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum. When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing.

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

Act after having made assessments. The one who first knows the measure of far and near wins - this is the rule of armed struggle.

To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.

All wars are won or lost before they are ever fought.

Do not engage an enemy more powerful than you. And if it is unavoidable and you do have to engage, then make sure you engage it on your terms, not on your enemy's terms.

All warfare is based on deception. There is no place where espionage is not used. Offer the enemy bait to lure him.

Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength.

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

Management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization.

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.

The expert in battle seeks his victory from strategic advantage and does not demand it from his men.

When I have won a victory I do not repeat my tactics but respond to circumstances in an infinite variety of ways.

Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.

The true objective of war is peace.

What is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations.