Sun Tzu

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”

“Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.”

“Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.”

“Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.”

“Know yourself and you will win all battles.”

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”

“The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him.”

“Speed is the essence of war.”

“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”

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

“The power to wage war lies in the purse.”

“There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.”

“Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.”

“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”

“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”

“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”

“He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.”

“The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought.”

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

“He who advances without seeking fame, who retreats without fearing disgrace, is the jewel of the kingdom.”

“To know your enemy, you must become your enemy.”

“He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.”

“The skillful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.”

“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”

“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”

“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”

“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”

“All warfare is based on deception.”

“Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.”

“Move swift as the wind and closely-formed as the wood. Attack like the fire and be still as the mountain.”

“Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows.”

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

“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”

“Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content.”

“He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.”

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

“Be extremely subtle even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious even to the point of soundlessness.”

“When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.”

“The wise warrior avoids the battle.”

“The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.”