Sun Tzu quotes

“If fighting is sure to result in victory, than you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding.”

— Sun Tzu

“The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.”

— Sun Tzu

“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.”

— Sun Tzu

“There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited.”

— Sun Tzu

“Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.”

— Sun Tzu

“The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.”

— Sun Tzu

“If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.”

— Sun Tzu

“Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.”

— Sun Tzu

“To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.”

— Sun Tzu

“When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.”

— Sun Tzu

“For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards.”

— Sun Tzu

“Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge.”

— Sun Tzu

“It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.”

— Sun Tzu

“Of all those in the army close to the commander none is more intimate than the secret agent; of all rewards none more liberal than those given to secret agents; of all matters none is more confidential than those relating to secret operations.”

— Sun Tzu