The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
– Sun Tzu
Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
– Sun Tzu
All warfare is based on deception. There is no place where espionage is not used. Offer the enemy bait to lure him.
– Sun-tzu
Appraise war in terms of the fundamental factors. The first of these factors is moral influence.
– Sun-tzu
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 opponent's fate.
– Sun-tzu
The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities...It is best to win without fighting.
– Sun-tzu
A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.
– 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
To lead people walk behind them.
– Sun Tzu
All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
– Sun Tzu
All war is based on deception.
– Sun Tzu
All war is deception.
– Sun Tzu
All warfare is based on deception.
– Sun Tzu
If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.
– Sun Tzu
If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.
– Sun Tzu
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.
– Sun Tzu
Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge.
– Sun Tzu
O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands.
– Sun Tzu
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.
– Sun Tzu
Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.
– Sun Tzu
Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.
– Sun Tzu
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
– Sun Tzu
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.
– Sun Tzu
The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.
– Sun Tzu
The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
– Sun Tzu
The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.
– Sun Tzu
The ultimate in disposing one's troops is to be without ascertainable shape. Then the most penetrating spies cannot pry in nor can the wise lay plans against you.
– Sun Tzu
There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.
– 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
Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.
– Sun Tzu
To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
– Sun Tzu
To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.
– Sun Tzu
When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.
– Sun Tzu
There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited.
– Sun Tzu
The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.
– Sun Tzu
The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.
– Sun Tzu
Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.
– Sun Tzu
Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.
– Sun Tzu
It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.
– 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
If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.
– Sun Tzu
He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.
– Sun Tzu
Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?
