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Sun Tzu Quotes
China
Sun Tzu (孫子 Sūn Zǐ; c. 6th century BC) was a Chinese general, military strategist, and philosopher who lived in the Eastern Zhou period of ancient China. Sun Tzu is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, a widely influential work of military strategy that has affected both Western and East Asian philosophy and military thinking.
China Military leaders Non-fiction authors Philosophers Also known as: Sun Tsu, Sun tzu, Sun-Tsu, Sun-Tzu, Sun-tzu, Art of War
Random Sun Tzu quote
54 quotes
It is the rule in war, if ten times the enemy's strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, be able to divide them; if equal, engage them; if fewer, defend against them; if weaker, be able to avoid them.
Of all those in the army close to the commander none is more intimate than the secret agent; of all rewards none more liberal than those given to secret agents; of all matters none is more confidential than those relating to secret operations.
In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. So, too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them.
The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.
The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.
Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
Misattributed
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
Misattributed
Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.
Disputed
Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
Misattributed
In peace, prepare for war. In war, prepare for peace.
Misattributed
Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price.
Disputed
Fear is the true enemy, the only enemy.
Misattributed
The true objective of war is peace.
Misattributed
Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate.
Disputed
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