Sun Tzu, The Art of War
82 quotes
"There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard. There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combinationthey produce more hues than can ever been seen.There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations ofthem yield more flavours than can ever be tasted."
"The wise warrior avoids the battle."
"When you start a fire, be to windward of it. Do not attack from the leeward."
"Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt."
"All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near."
"If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected ."
"Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain."
"When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard."
"To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill."
"who wishes to fight must first count the cost"
"Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots."
"Great results, can be achieved with small forces."
"There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed."
"The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent."
"If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant."
"He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared."
"Bravery without forethought, causes a man to fight blindly and desperately like a mad bull. Such an opponent, must not be encountered with brute force, but may be lured into an ambush and slain."
"When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away..."
"Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible; and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands."
"If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst. [One may know the condition of a whole army from the behavior of a single man.]"
"Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions."
"Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted."
"Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength."
"the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself."
"Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home."