"If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in."
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Art Of War quotes
Art Of War
41 quotes on this topic — from poets, philosophers, and thinkers across history.
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Art Of War quotes (page 2 of 3)
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"Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will."
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"Know thy self, know thy enemy."
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"You can ensure the success of your attacks if you only attack places that are undefended. You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked. Therefore, that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack."
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"Men never do good unless necessity drives them to it; but when they are free to choose and can do just as they please, confusion and disorder become rampant."
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"Until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared"
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"In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory."
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"The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success."
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"Be where your enemy is not."
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"There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen."
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"He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them."
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"Fierce language and pretentious advances are signs that the enemy is about to retreat."
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"One who has few must prepare against the enemy; one who has many makes the enemy prepare against him."
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"There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard."
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"The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat: - let such a one be dismissed!"
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"At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you."
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"The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points; and his forces being thus distributed in many directions, the numbers we shall have to face at any given point will be proportionately few."
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"Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot."
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"The Art of War is self-explanatory"
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