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Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports.

Sun Tzu

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Sun Tzu
Military Personnel
Philosopher
Strategist
Writer
Kingdom of Qi
Sun Wu
Sun Zi
Changqing
Art
Cannot
Truth
Certain
Strategist
Without
Ingenuity
Mind
Reports
Make
Subtle
War

More quotes by Sun Tzu

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In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected.
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Order or disorder depends on organisation and direction courage or cowardice on circumstances strength or weakness on tactical dispositions.
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Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy forceful execution of even a poor plan can often bring victory.
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All war is based on deception.
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In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain is to conceal them.
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He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
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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.
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We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground (2) entangling ground (3) temporising ground (4) narrow passes (5) precipitous heights (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy.
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In all history, there is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare. Only one who knows the disastrous effects of a long war can realize the supreme importance of rapidity in bringing it to a close.
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Quickness is the essence of the war.
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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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Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend march swiftly to places where you are not expected.
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If not in the interests of the state, do not act. If you cannot succeed, do not use troops. If you are not in danger, do not fight.
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Those skilled in attack move as from above the nine-fold heavens. Thus they are capable both of protecting themselves and of gaining complete victory.
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Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.
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One who sets the entire army in motion to chase an advantage will not attain it.
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When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.
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Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.
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To capture the enemy's entire army is better than to destroy it to take intact a regiment, a company, or a squad is better than to destroy them. For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the supreme of excellence. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence.
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If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.
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