Quotes by Military Strategists

You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended.

Sun Tzu

In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity

Sun Tzu

When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away...

Sun Tzu

When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is COLLAPSE.

Sun Tzu

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.

Sun Tzu

We live in fortunate times in which we have only the irritant of terrorism instead of world wars to worry about

Edward N. Luttwak

5,6. The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.Excerpt From: Sunzi. “The Art of War.” iBooks. This material may be protected by copyright.

Sun Tzu

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

Sun Tzu

the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

Sun Tzu

first lay plans which will ensure victory, and then lead your army to battle; if you will not begin with stratagem but rely on brute strength alone, victory will no longer be assured

Sun Tzu

To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.

Sun Tzu

Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.

Sun Tzu

Understand both yourself and your enemy, and you shall always emerge victorious

Sun Tzu

Great results, can be achieved with small forces.

Sun Tzu

mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy

Sun Tzu

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.

Sun Tzu

Whether in an advantageous position or a disadvantageous one, the opposite state should be always present to your mind.

Sun Tzu

If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.

Sun Tzu

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.]

Sun Tzu

A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return.

Sun Tzu

Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.

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

If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

Sun Tzu

There are not more than five primary colors (blue, yellow, red, white, and black), yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.

Sun Tzu