710 Quotes by Sun Tzu

I will be able to forecast which side will be victorious and which defeated.

Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability.

So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak. 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.

He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.

You can ensure the success of your attacks if you only attack places that are undefended. You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked. Therefore, that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.

It is sufficient to estimate the enemy situation correctly and to concentrate your strength to capture him. There is no more to it than this. He who lacks foresight and underestimates his enemy will surely be captured by him.

Where the army is, prices are high; when prices rise the wealth of the people is exhausted.

If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders are clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers.