There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.
SUN TZUWho does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
More Sun Tzu Quotes
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To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
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Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.
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So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.
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There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.
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But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.
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Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical.
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The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
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Those skilled at making the enemy move do so by creating a situation to which he must conform; they entice him with something he is certain to take, and with lures of ostensible profit they await him in strength.
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The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points.
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Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
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There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.
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One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.
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If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.
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The worst calamities that befall an army arise from hesitation.
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You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended.
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Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.
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Always mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy if possible.
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When your army has crossed the border, you should burn your boats and bridges, in order to make it clear to everybody that you have no hankering after home.
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Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.
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The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.
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Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
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Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.
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If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.
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Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the defensive.
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He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
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When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.
SUN TZU