Sun Tzu Quotes & Sayings (Page 4)

“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.”

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

“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.”

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

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

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

“Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.”

“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.”

“Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.”

“For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.”