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Sun Tzu Quotes

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Famous Sun Tzu Quotes

“The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.”

FirstsArtWarHandsAbleLyingCertainOpportunityEnemyMilitaryPossibilityDefeatSecureFighterArt Of WarStrategistGood FightWar StrategyDefeating The Enemy
Book:The Illustrated Art of War
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“If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory. 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. If we know that the enemy is open to attack, and also know that our men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the nature of the ground makes fighting impracticable, we have still gone only halfway towards victory.”

IfsKnowsMenArtStillsWarFightingEnemyGoneConditionsMilitaryVictoryArt Of WarHalfwayStrategist
Book:Sun-Tzu on the Art of War: The Oldest Military Treatise in the World (Sunzi for Language Learners, Volume 1)
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“On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not. On facile ground, halt not. On contentious ground, attack not. On open ground, do not try to block the enemy's way. On the ground of intersecting highways, join hands with your allies. On serious ground, gather in plunder. In difficult ground, keep steadily on the march. On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem. On desperate ground, fight.”

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Book:The Art of War (The Classic Lionel Giles Translation)
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“If asked how to cope with a great host of the enemy in orderly array and on the point of marching to the attack, I should say: "Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will." Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.”

IfsWayShouldArtWarEnemyMilitaryAdvantageEssenceDearSpotsOpponentsUnexpectedHostRoutesArt Of WarOrderlyStrategistSeizingAmenable
Book:The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China
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“The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they will become double agents and available for our service. It is through the information brought by the double agent that we are able to acquire and employ local and inward spies. It is owing to his information, again, that we can cause the doomed spy to carry false tidings to the enemy.”

ArtWarAbleCausesEnemyMilitaryInformationAvailableLocalsAgentsAcquireInwardDoomedTemptedSpyArt Of WarBribeOwingStrategistTidings
Book:The Complete Art of War
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“Know the enemy and know yourself.”

KnowsWarFightingFearEnemyKnowledgeKnowingMilitaryDutyBattleStrategyWarriorSelf KnowledgeKnow YourselfThyselfArt Of WarStrategicOvercoming FearKnow ThyselfGreat WarTotal WarStrategistKnowing OneselfInspirational MilitaryBusiness StrategyMilitary PowerCall Of DutySelf KnowingMilitary HistoryEastern PhilosophyWar StrategyStratagemChinese PhilosophyFighting BattlesGreat MilitaryModern WarfareModern WarGreatest MilitaryGreat BattleKnowing OthersModern Warfare 2Will To FightMilitary StrategyPolitics And WarEnemy WithinWars And BattlesWar GamesChinese ArtWar With YourselfPolitical EnemiesKeep Your Friends Close
Author:Sun Tzu
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