Quotes of All Topics . Occasions . Authors
Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.
The successful person has unusual skill at dealing with conflict and ensuring the best outcome for all.
The business of a general is to kick away the ladder behind soldiers when they have climbed up a height.
The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.
The good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.
What is of the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed: One cannot afford to neglect opportunity.
And therefore those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him.
Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.
If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
According to my assessment, even if you have many more troops than others, how can that help you to victory?
Like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more.
Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.
The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
Apparent confusion is a product of good order; apparent cowardice, of courage; apparent weakness, of strength.
It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order.
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.
When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporising ground.
If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.
Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy; forceful execution of even a poor plan can often bring victory.
And regulation entails organizational effectiveness, a chain of command, and a structure for logistical support.
In conflict, straightforward actions generally lead to engagement, surprising actions generally lead to victory.
The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain.
Thus the skilful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.
When I have won a victory I do not repeat my tactics but respond to circumstances in an infinite variety of ways.
If you fight with all your might, there is a chance of life; where as death is certain if you cling to your corner
Those who would wage war, should first eliminate all domestic enemies before proceeding to attack the external foe.
Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.
Therefore a victorious army first wins and then seeks battle; a defeated army first battles and then seeks victory.
The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.
All warfare is based on deception. There is no place where espionage is not used. Offer the enemy bait to lure him.
In the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.
Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy... use the conquered foe to augment one's own strength.
A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.
When orders are consistently trustworthy and observed, the relationship of a commander with his troops is satisfactory.
All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
He who relies solely on warlike measures shall be exterminated; he who relies solely on peaceful measures shall perish.
To ... not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues.
Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.
He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.
These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.
Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability.
The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming.
You can prevent your opponent from defeating you through defense, but you cannot defeat him without taking the offensive.
Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.
In warfare, there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent will succeed and win.
There are routes not to be followed, armies not to be attacked, citadels not to be besieged, territory not to be fought over.
With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy.
Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.