Quotes by Sun Tzu

“So there are five ways of knowing who will win. Those who know when to fight and when not to fight are victorious. Those who discern when to use many or few troops are victorious. Those whose upper and lower ranks have the same desire are victorious.”

“Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?”

“The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.”

“The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.”

“The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.”

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.”

“If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.”

“Self-assurance is two-thirds of success.”

“There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.”

“If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.”

“There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.”

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”

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

“Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.”

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

“Therefore a victorious army first wins and then seeks battle; a defeated army first battles and then seeks victory.”

“Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemys resistance without fighting.”

“He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious.”

“Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponents fate.”

“It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you. Give them instructions and care for them. Thus doubled agents are recruited and used.”