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They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness.

Sun Tzu

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Sun Tzu
Military Personnel
Philosopher
Strategist
Writer
Kingdom of Qi
Sun Wu
Sun Zi
Changqing
Properly
War
Art
Straightforwardness
Cannot
Spies
Without
Strategist
Spy
Benevolence
Managed

More quotes by Sun Tzu

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Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
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Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.
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In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory. In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack.. the direct and the indirect yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers.
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Therefore a victorious army first wins and then seeks battle a defeated army first battles and then seeks victory.
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The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers.
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When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.
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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.
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Confront them with annihilation, and they will then survive plunge them into a deadly situation, and they will then live. When people fall into danger, they are then able to strive for victory.
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Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and you know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt if you now Heaven and you know Earth, you may make your victory complete.
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With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up.
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If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely traced out on the ground. All we need to do is to throw something odd and unaccountable in his way.
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When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum. When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing.
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Spies are a most important element in water, because on them depends an army's ability to move.
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In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.
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Someone unfamiliar with the mountains and forests cannot advance [the team]. One who does not employ local guides cannot gain the advantage.
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Great results, can be achieved with small forces.
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The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.
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The ultimate in disposing one's troops is to be without ascertainable shape. Then the most penetrating spies cannot pry in nor can the wise lay plans against you.
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The supreme excellence is not to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles. The supreme excellence is to subdue the armies of your enemies without having to fight them.
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Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home.
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