If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles. Sun Tzu More Quotes by Sun Tzu More Quotes From Sun Tzu War is a matter of vital importance to the state. Sun Tzu statesmatterwar So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak. Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. Sun Tzu strongwarart From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is prepared for your coming, and you fail to defeat him, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue. Sun Tzu warenemyart 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 fightingwarart Rapidity is the essence of war. Sun Tzu essencewar When the thunderclap comes, there is no time to cover the ears. Sun Tzu ears In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory. Indirect tactics, efficiently applied, are inexhaustible as Heaven and Earth, unending as the flow of rivers and streams; like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more. Sun Tzu fightingmoonart When the enemy is at ease, be able to weary him; when well fed, to starve him; when at rest, to make him move. Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you. Sun Tzu warartmoving Subjugating the enemy's army without fighting is the true pinnacle of excellence. Sun Tzu armyfightingenemy If an enemy has alliances, the problem is grave and the enemy's position strong; if he has no alliances, the problem is minor and the enemy's position weak. Sun Tzu strongwarenemy If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose. Sun Tzu warchildrenart Be the first to seize intersecting ground, that is ground which lies the intersections of borders or intersections of main thoroughfares of commerce and travel. Your occupation of it gives you access to all who border it and all who would covet it. On intersecting ground, if you establish alliances you are safe, if you lose alliances you are in peril. Sun Tzu warlyingart Unless you enter the tiger's lair, you cannot get hold of the tiger's cub's. Sun Tzu cubstigers Ponder and deliberate before you make your move. He will conquer who has learned the artifice of deviation. Such is the art of maneuvering. Sun Tzu warartmoving There are five kinds of incendiary attack: The first is called setting fire to personnel; the second, to stores; the third, to transport vehicles and equipment; the fourth, to munitions; the fifth, to supply installations...In all cases an army must understand the changes induced by the five kinds of incendiary attack, and make use of logistical calculations to address them. Sun Tzu armyusefire Winning Strategists are certain of triumph before seeking a challenge. Losing Strategists are certain to challenge before seeking a triumph. Sun Tzu triumphchallengeswinning We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporising ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy. Sun Tzu distancewarart Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men. Sun Tzu menwarart The Art of War is self-explanatory Sun Tzu art-of-warwarart Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible. Sun Tzu sideswarart
