Quotes About Flexibility

Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.

Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.

Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.

Whether in an advantageous position or a disadvantageous one, the opposite state should be always present to your mind.

If we wish to wrest an advantage from the enemy, we must not fix our minds on that alone, but allow for the possibility of the enemy also doing some harm to us, and let this enter as a factor into our calculations.

If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.

So a military force has no constant formation, water has no constant shape: the ability to gain victory by changing and adapting according to the opponent is called genius.

It is unlucky to be stubborn in the face of insurmountable odds

Military formation is like water—the form of water is to avoid the high and go to the low, the form of a military force is to avoid the full and attack the empty; the flow of water is determined by the earth, the victory of a military force is determined by the opponent.

Flexibility in our lives means having a fundamental ability to relate to any new environment and excel in it. Instead of fighting it, you greet it with open arms and observe it; instead of criticizing it, you caress it and understand it; instead of ignoring it, you make it yours and be one with it.

Those who are able to adapt and change in accord with the enemy and achieve victory are called divine.

Employing the officers of his army without discrimination, through ignorance of the military principle of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers.

Therefore victory in war is not repetitious, but adapts its form endlessly.

16.  While heading the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules. 17.  According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one's plans.

It is not the best thing to win every battle one is engaged in; the best thing is to win without planning to win. This is perfect victory.

Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements, and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man.

The ultimate skill in taking up a strategic position is to have no form.

to concentrate or to divide your troops, must be decided by circumstances.      17. Let your rapidity be that of the wind, [The simile is doubly

He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain

Humanity and justice are the principles on which to govern a state, but not an army; opportunism and flexibility, on the other hand, are military rather than civic virtues.

Et quand j'ai remporté une bataille, je ne répète pas ma tactique, mais je réponds aux circonstances selon une variété infinie de voies.

Il en doit être des troupes à peu près comme d'une eau courante. De même que l'eau qui coule évite les hauteurs et se hâte vers le pays plat, de même une armée évite la force et frappe la faiblesse.

The chief lesson of this chapter, in Tu Mu's opinion, is the paramount importance in war of rapid evolutions and sudden rushes. Great results, he adds, can thus be achieved with small forces.]

Un grand général doit savoir l'art des changements. S'il s'en tient à une connaissance vague de certains principes, à une application routinière des règles de l'art, si ses méthodes de commandement sont dépourvues de souplesse, s'il examine les situations conformément à quelques schémas, s'il prend ses résolutions d'une manière mécanique, il ne mérite pas de commander.