710 Quotes by Sun Tzu

Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle .... They conquer by strategy.

Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity.

Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men.

So the principles of warfare are: Do not depend on the enemy not coming, but depend on our readiness against him. Do not depend on the enemy not attacking, but depend on our position that cannot be attacked.

A warrior who is prepared to fight must also be prepared to die.

The value of time, that is of being a little ahead of your opponent, often provides greater advantage than superior numbers or greater resources.

Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation.

Use humility to make the enemy haughty. Tire them by flight. Cause division among them. When they are unprepared, attack and make your move when they do not expect it.

The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points; and his forces being thus distributed in many directions, the numbers we shall have to face at any given point will be proportionately few.