Home / Quotes / Quote by Sun Tzu

Quote by Sun Tzu

“Whoever is the first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy will be fresh for the fight... Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy... By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to approach of his own accord; or by inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the enemy to draw near.”

Quote by Sun Tzu

Book:Sun Tzu's The Art of War: Bilingual Edition Complete Chinese and English Text

Work

Sun Tzu's The Art of War: Bilingual Edition Complete Chinese and English Text

Sun Tzu's The Art of War is a foundational text in military strategy, providing insights on tactics, command, and the psychological aspects of warfare. This bilingual edition includes the complete Chinese text alongside an English translation, making it accessible to readers of both languages. The book delves into the principles of warfare, emphasizing adaptability, intelligence, and the moral dimensions of conflict. more

Author

Sun Tzu, born around 544 BC and died around 496 BC, was a renowned Chinese military strategist. His military thoughts are mainly reflected in his book 'The Art of War', which is considered the classic of military strategy and has had a profound impact on various fields such as military, politics, and economics in later generations. more

You May Also Like

“When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. If the enemy's troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or removing demands, the situation is one that requires great vigilance and circumspection. To begin by bluster, but afterward to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.”

Ifs Long Art War Shows Wish Numbers Situation Enemy Battle Demand Long Time Mouths Supreme March Compliment Troops Art Of War Joining Fright Vigilance My Wish Truce Circumspection Bluster

Author:Sun Tzu

“On the field of battle, the spoken word does not carry far enough; hence the institution of gongs and drums... banners and flags. Gongs and drums, banners and flags, are means whereby the ears and eyes of the host may be focused on one particular point.”

May Mean Doe Art War Enough Eye Fields Particular Battle Ears Institutions Focused Host Flags Art Of War Banner Spoken Word Gongs

Book:The Art of War

Source: The Art of War

“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night.”

Art War Night Dark Plans Art Of War War Strategy War Plans

Book:Sun Tzu Art of War

Source: Sun Tzu Art of War

“A prudent man... must behave like those archers who, if they are skillful, when the target seems too distant, know the capabilities of their bow and aim a good deal higher than their objective, not in order to shoot so high but so that by aiming high they can reach the target.”

Ifs Knows Men Art War Seems Order Deals Higher Aim Objectives Behave Target Capability Bows Imitation Art Of War Prudent Skillful Aim High Archer Prowess

Author:Niccolo Machiavelli

“Violence must be inflicted once for all; people will then forget what it tastes like and so be less resentful. Benefits must be conferred gradually; and in that way they will taste better.”

People Way Art War Forget Violence Taste Benefits Art Of War Resentful

Author:Niccolo Machiavelli

“When men receive favours from someone they expected to do them ill, they are under a greater obligation to their benefactor.”

Men Art War Greater Ill Expected Obligation Favour Art Of War Benefactors

Author:Niccolo Machiavelli

“The nature of man is such that people consider themselves put under an obligation as much by the benefits they confer as by those they receive.”

People Men Art War Benefits Obligation Art Of War Nature Of Man

Author:Niccolo Machiavelli

“A clever general... avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods. Disciplined and calm, he awaits the appearance of disorder and hubbub among the enemy. This is the art of retaining self-possession.”

Art War Self Spirit Enemy Study Return Army Calm Possession Appearance Mood Clever Disorder Art Of War Sluggish Retaining

Book:The Art of War

Source: The Art of War

“By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, the skillful general keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. By shifting his camp and taking circuitous routes, he prevents the enemy from anticipating his purpose. At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him.”

Art War Moments Purpose Behinds Leader Enemy Plans Army Critical Height Kicks Camps Arrangements Definite Routes Ladders Shifting Art Of War Skillful Critical Moments

Book:The Art of War

Source: The Art of War

“Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.”

Art War Purpose Enemy Warfare Art Of War

Book:The Art of War

Source: The Art of War