Quote

When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.

Sun Tzu

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Sun Tzu
Military Personnel
Philosopher
Strategist
Writer
Kingdom of Qi
Sun Wu
Sun Zi
Changqing
Art
Collapse
Soldier
Result
Weak
Results
Insubordination
Common
Strategist
War
Officers
Strong
Soldiers

More quotes by Sun Tzu

Image
Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation.
Sun Tzu
Image
The King is only fond of words, and cannot translate them into deeds.
Sun Tzu
Image
O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands.
Sun Tzu
Image
Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy... use the conquered foe to augment one's own strength.
Sun Tzu
Image
There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefitted.
Sun Tzu
Image
To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape.
Sun Tzu
Image
When campaigning, be swift as the wind in leisurely march, majestic as the forest in raiding and plundering, like fire in standing, firm as the mountains. As unfathomable as the clouds, move like a thunderbolt.
Sun Tzu
Image
In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
Sun Tzu
Image
Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.
Sun Tzu
Image
Quickness is the essence of the war.
Sun Tzu
Image
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu
Image
One need not destroy one's enemy. One need only destroy his willingness to engage.
Sun Tzu
Image
He who wishes to fight must first count the cost
Sun Tzu
Image
In warfare, there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent will succeed and win.
Sun Tzu
Image
Probe him and learn where his strength is abundant and where deficient.
Sun Tzu
Image
Now a soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning by noonday it has begun to flag and in the evening, his mind is only on returning to camp.
Sun Tzu
Image
Be where your enemy is not.
Sun Tzu
Image
Don't flail against the world, use it. Flexibility is the operative principle in the art of war.
Sun Tzu
Image
Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small. The difficult things in this world must be done while they are easy, the greatest things in the world must be done while they are still small. For this reason sages never do what is great, and this is why they achieve greatness.
Sun Tzu
Image
Should the enemy forestall you in occupying a pass, do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it is weakly garrisoned.
Sun Tzu