Sun Tzu - War Quotes

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Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.

Sun Tzu
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.

Sun Tzu
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.

Sun Tzu
War is a matter of vital importance to the state; the province of life or death; the road to survival or ruin. It is mandatory that it be thoroughly studied.

Sun Tzu
Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.

Sun Tzu
In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.

Sun Tzu
What is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.

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

Sun Tzu
It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.

Sun Tzu
Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy... use the conquered foe to augment one's own strength.

Sun Tzu
It is a doctrine of war not to assume the enemy will not come, but rather to rely on one's readiness to meet him; not to presume that he will not attack, but rather to make one's self invincible.

Sun Tzu
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.

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

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

Sun Tzu
It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.

Sun Tzu
Thus it is that in 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.

Sun Tzu
In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected.

Sun Tzu
There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefitted.

Sun Tzu
As water has no constant form, there are in war no constant conditions.

Sun Tzu
Generally in war the best policy is to take a state intact; to ruin it is inferior to this.

Sun Tzu