Sun Tzu

The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.

—Sun Tzu

He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.

—Sun Tzu

Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy.

—Sun Tzu

He who advances without seeking fame, Who retreats without escaping blame, He whose one aim is to protect his people and serve his lord, The man is a jewel of the Realm.

—Sun Tzu

If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.

—Sun Tzu

Know thy self, know thy enemy.

A thousand battles, a thousand victories.

—Sun Tzu

Every battle is won before it’s ever fought.

—Sun Tzu

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.

—Sun Tzu

One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.

—Sun Tzu

Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. 

Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. 

Thereby you can be the director of the opponent’s fate.

—Sun Tzu

By reinforcing every part, he weakens every part.

—Sun Tzu

The art of war is of vital importance to the State.

It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin.

Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.

—Sun Tzu

Order or disorder depends on organisation; courage or cowardice on circumstances; strength or weakness on dispositions.

—Sun Tzu

It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.

—Sun Tzu

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.

—Sun Tzu

Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

—Sun Tzu

For 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.

—Sun Tzu

If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.

—Sun Tzu

You have to believe in yourself.

—Sun Tzu

Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.

—Sun Tzu

Confront them with annihilation, and they will then survive; plunge them into a deadly situation, and they will then live.

When people fall into danger, they are then able to strive for victory.

—Sun Tzu

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

—Sun Tzu

Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.

—Sun Tzu

The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.

—Sun Tzu

Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.

—Sun Tzu

It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.

—Sun Tzu

If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.

—Sun Tzu

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

—Sun Tzu

There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.

—Sun Tzu

Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.

—Sun Tzu