Art Of War Quotes - Page 4

• The value of time, that is of being a little ahead of your opponent, often provides greater advantage than superior numbers or greater resources.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, War, Numbers

  12 Copy quote

• It is the rule in war, if ten times the enemy's strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, be able to divide them; if equal, engage them; if fewer, defend against them; if weaker, be able to avoid them.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, War, Army

  "The Art of War". Book by Sun Tzu, Chapter III · Strategic Attack, 6th Century BC.

  13 Copy quote

  Show source

• What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.

  Sun Tzu

  Clever, War, Fighting

  Sun Tzu (2016). “The Art of War”, p.19, Xist Publishing

  18 Copy quote

  Show source

• They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, War, Spy

  Lionel Giles', Sun Tzu (1910). “Sun Tzu's Art of War - Illustrated & Translated for Modern Readers”, p.39, SJ Creations Tokyo

  14 Copy quote

  Show source

• Birds rising in flight is a sign that the enemy is lying in ambush; when the wild animals are startled and flee he is trying to take you unaware.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, War, Lying

  13 Copy quote

• When a general, unable to estimate the enemy's strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one, and neglects to place picked soldiers in the front rank, the result must be rout.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, Powerful, War

  Sun Tzu, Julius Caesar, Einhard, Niccolò Machiavelli, Carl von Clausewitz (2016). “Strategy Six Pack”, p.23, Lulu.com

  14 Copy quote

  Show source

• If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.

  Sun Tzu

  Doors, Enemy, Ifs

  Sun Tzu (2016). “The Art of War”, p.75, Xist Publishing

  15 Copy quote

  Show source

• Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, War, Moving

  Sun Tzu, Niccolo Machiavelli (2013). “The Complete Art of War”, p.67, Simon and Schuster

  22 Copy quote

  Show source

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

  Sun Tzu

  Art, War, Arrogant

  Sun Tzu (2016). “The Art of War”, p.7, Xist Publishing

  16 Copy quote

  Show source

• 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

  Art, Military, War

  Sun Tzu (2016). “The Art of War”, p.26, Xist Publishing

  24 Copy quote

  Show source

• Now a soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is only on returning to camp.

  Sun Tzu

  Morning, Art, War

  Victoria Charles, Sun Tzu (2015). “Art of War”, p.45, Parkstone International

  8 Copy quote

  Show source

• To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, War, Army

  Sun Tzu “Sun Tzu: The Art of War (Illustrated)”, Charles River Editors

  9 Copy quote

  Show source

• 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.

  Sun Tzu

  Running, Giving, Enemy

  Sun Tzu “Sun Tzu: The Art of War (Illustrated)”, Charles River Editors

  7 Copy quote

  Show source

• If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, War, Men

  Sun Tzu, General Press (2016). “The Art of War”, p.45, GENERAL PRESS

  8 Copy quote

  Show source

• 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

  Military, War, Evil

  Sun Tzu (2016). “The Art of War”, p.10, Xist Publishing

  18 Copy quote

  Show source

• When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.

  Sun Tzu

  War, Enemy, Wish

  Sun Tzu (2012). “Sun Tzu Art of War”, p.68, Vij Books India Pvt Ltd

  10 Copy quote

  Show source

• He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.

  Sun Tzu

  Military, War, Winning

  Sun Tzu (2016). “The Art of War”, p.16, Xist Publishing

  9 Copy quote

  Show source

• These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, War, Way

  Sun Tzu, Julius Caesar, Einhard, Niccolò Machiavelli, Carl von Clausewitz (2016). “Strategy Six Pack”, p.23, Lulu.com

  7 Copy quote

  Show source

• When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporising ground.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, War, Moving

  Lionel Giles', Sun Tzu (1910). “Sun Tzu's Art of War - Illustrated & Translated for Modern Readers”, p.28, SJ Creations Tokyo

  7 Copy quote

  Show source

• When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or not he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, War, Fighting

  Sun Tzu (2010). “The Art of War”, p.34, FastPencil Inc

  18 Copy quote

  Show source

• With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies. Then you will be able to fight with advantage.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, War, Fighting

  Sun Tzu “Sun Tzu: The Art of War (Illustrated)”, Charles River Editors

  9 Copy quote

  Show source

• If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high rampart and a deep ditch. All we need do is attack some other place that he will be obliged to relieve.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, War, Fighting

  Sun Tzu, Niccolo Machiavelli (2013). “The Complete Art of War”, p.30, Simon and Schuster

  7 Copy quote

  Show source

• If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.

  Sun Tzu

  Money, Military, War

  Sun Tzu “Sun Tzu: The Art of War (Illustrated)”, Charles River Editors

  13 Copy quote

  Show source

• No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, War, Fighting

  Sun Tzu, General Press (2016). “The Art of War”, p.61, GENERAL PRESS

  28 Copy quote

  Show source

• The general must be the first in the toils and fatigues of the army. In the heat of summer he does not spread his parasol nor in the cold of winter don thick clothing. In dangerous places he must dismount and walk. He waits until the army's wells have been dug and only then drinks; until the army's food is cooked before he eats; until the army's fortifications have been completed, to shelter himself.

  Sun Tzu

  Summer, Art, War

  10 Copy quote