Best 41 quotes in «art of war quotes» category

The Sun Tzu School (which wrote the Art of War) surely never imagined that their antiwar, pro-empire treatise would become known and accepted after the fall of the first empire as a text on military tactics. Likewise, they would have been surprised to see the Ping-fa military metaphor—an inspired teaching device—come to be seen as the message and not the medium.

The Sun Tzu School Ping-fa Directive. Be strong and continually aware. Manage your strength and that of others. When essential, engage on your terms. Be observant, adaptive, and subtle. Do not lose control. Act decisively. Conclude quickly. Don't Fight!

To use the enemy's weapon is to play the enemy's game...speak the truth and hear the truth.

… to a Prince who wants to do great things, it is necessary to learn to deceive.

Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength.

When two sides who consider each other enemies converge in armed struggle, for the moment they are no longer enemies. They are fellow human beings who face the same two choices that their ancestors did for centuries before them: to destroy each other or to prosper together.

A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.

Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.

If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is tempermental, 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.

God is not willing to do everything, and thus take away our free will and that share of glory which belongs to us.

He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.

Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is about to advance. Violent language and driving forward as if to the attack are signs that he will retreat.

Fierce language and pretentious advances are signs that the enemy is about to retreat.

Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.

He who wishes to fight must first count the cost

If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle

There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.

In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.

It ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new. This coolness arises partly from fear of the opponents, who have the laws on their side, and partly from the incredulity of men, who do not readily believe in new things until they have had a long experience of them.

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.

Rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him

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

In warfare, there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent will succeed and win.

Know thy self, know thy enemy.

Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.

The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success.

The expert in battle seeks his victory from strategic advantage and does not demand it from his men.

The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands

Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.

There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefitted.

There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.

he who knows when he can fight and when he cannot , will be victorious .

Until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared

We do not know what is on the other side of the storm.

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.

As swift as wind, as gentle as forest, as fierce as fire, as unshakable as mountain." -Fūrinkazan

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.

War makes thieves and peace hangs them.

It is good to know one's enemy. It is better to know one's self.

If your enemy has the power to see into the future, make sure you are the author of that future.

Not sure how you can get them to him without looking like a crazy stalker chick," Micah says. "You think I'm a crazy stalker chick?" "You're using an ancient war manual to try to win back your boyfriend. I think you're a girl who will do whatever it takes to get what she wants," he says. "Hey, at least you're committed.