"The dance of battle is always played to the same impatient rhythm. What begins in a surge of violent motion is always reduced to the perfectly still."
Read quote
10 likes
Quote collection
Sun Tzu quotes (page 14 of 23)
450 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Someone unfamiliar with the mountains and forests cannot advance [the team]. One who does not employ local guides cannot gain the advantage."
Read quote
10 likes
"Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports."
Read quote
10 likes
"Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous."
Read quote
10 likes
"And regulation entails organizational effectiveness, a chain of command, and a structure for logistical support."
Read quote
10 likes
"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."
Read quote
10 likes
"When you do battle, even if you are winning, if you continue for a long time it will dull your forces and blunt you edge...If you keep your armies out in the field for a long time, your supplies will be insufficient. Transportation of provisions itself consumes 20 times the amount transported."
Read quote
10 likes
"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."
Read quote
10 likes
"Therefore, to estimate the enemy situation and to calculate distances and the degree of difficulty of the terrain so as to control victory are virtues of the superior general."
Read quote
10 likes
"Unless you enter the tiger's lair, you cannot get hold of the tiger's cub's."
Read quote
9 likes
"The nature of war is constant change."
Read quote
9 likes
"In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns."
Read quote
9 likes
"Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuvering for advantageous positions."
Read quote
9 likes
"The control of large numbers is possible, and like unto that of small numbers, if we subdivide them."
Read quote
9 likes
"When you know both yourself as well as your competition, you are never in danger. To know yourself and not others, gives you half a chance of winning. Knowing neither yourself or your competition puts you in a position to lose."
Read quote
9 likes
"Until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared"
Read quote
9 likes
"We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country."
Read quote
9 likes
"The art of using troops is this: ......When ten to the enemy's one, surround him; ......When five times his strength, attack him; ......If double his strength, divide him; ......If equally matched you may engage him; ......If weaker numerically, be capable of withdrawing; ......And if in all respects unequal, be capable of eluding him, ..........for a small force is but booty for one more powerful."
Read quote
9 likes
"A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life."
Read quote
9 likes
"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."
Read quote
9 likes