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Sun Tzu on War

China

← All quotes by Sun Tzu

9 quotes

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.

Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.

Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions.

And therefore those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him.

In war, numbers alone confer no advantage. Do not advance relying on sheer military power.

All warfare is based on deception.

[I]n war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.

In peace, prepare for war. In war, prepare for peace.

Misattributed

The true objective of war is peace.

Misattributed

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Sun Tzu (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.