Quote

The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the Ch'ang mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both.

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
May
Mountains
Likened
Strikes
Snake
Mountain
Skillful
Head
Tail
Middle
Attacked
War
Snakes
Found
Tails
Art
Strike
Tactician

More quotes by Sun Tzu

Image
If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.
Sun Tzu
Image
If I determine the enemy's disposition of forces while I have no perceptible form, I can concentrate my forces while the enemy is fragmented. The pinnacle of military deployment approaches the formless: if it is formless, then even the deepest spy cannot discern it nor the wise make plans against it.
Sun Tzu
Image
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.
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
Do not press an enemy at bay. Prince Fu Ch'ai said: Wild beasts, when at bay, fight desperately. How much more is this true of men! If they know there is no alternative, they will fight to the death.
Sun Tzu
Image
Opportunities increase as they are taken.
Sun Tzu
Image
Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.
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
There are routes not to be followed, armies not to be attacked, citadels not to be besieged, territory not to be fought over.
Sun Tzu
Image
Great results, can be achieved with small forces.
Sun Tzu
Image
The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
Sun Tzu
Image
Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans, the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces, the next in order is to attack the enemy's army in the field, and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.
Sun Tzu
Image
Unless you enter the tiger's lair, you cannot get hold of the tiger's cub's.
Sun Tzu
Image
In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.
Sun Tzu
Image
Generally, management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization. And to control many is the same as to control few. This is a matter of formations and signals.
Sun Tzu
Image
Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain
Sun Tzu
Image
Apparent confusion is a product of good order apparent cowardice, of courage apparent weakness, of strength.
Sun Tzu
Image
One whose troops repeatedly congregate in small groups here and there, whispering together, has lost the masses. One who frequently grants rewards is in deep distress. One who frequently imposes punishments is in great difficulty. One who is at first excessively brutal and then fears the masses is the pinnacle of stupidity.
Sun Tzu
Image
Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting he captures their cities without laying siege to them he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.
Sun Tzu
Image
In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in his turn then, when part of his army has come out, we may deliver our attack with advantage.
Sun Tzu