710 Quotes by Sun Tzu

The sovereign must have full knowledge of the activities of the five sorts of agents. This knowledge must come from the double agents, and therefore it is mandatory that they be treated with the utmost liberality.

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

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.

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.

If their forces are substantial, prepare for them; if their forces are strong, avoid them.

Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.

This does not mean that the enemy is to be allowed to escape. The object is to make him believe that there is a road to safety, and thus prevent his fighting with the courage of despair. After that, you may crush him.

It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order.

All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.