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If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.

Sun Tzu

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Sun Tzu
Military Personnel
Philosopher
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Kingdom of Qi
Sun Wu
Sun Zi
Changqing
Men
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More quotes by Sun Tzu

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Unless you enter the tiger's lair, you cannot get hold of the tiger's cub's.
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Whoever is the first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy will be fresh for the fight... Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy... By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to approach of his own accord or by inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the enemy to draw near.
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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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Every battle is won before it is fought.
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He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.
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The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain.
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Kill one, terrify a thousand.
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When the thunderclap comes, there is no time to cover the ears.
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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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If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.
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To plan secretly, to move surreptitiously, to foil the enemy's intentions and balk his schemes, so that at last the day may be won without shedding a drop of blood.
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It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you. Give them instructions and care for them. Thus doubled agents are recruited and used.
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He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
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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.
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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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Those who excel in war first cultivate their own humanity and and maintain their laws and institutions. By these means they make their governments invincible.
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He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.
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When your opponent gives you an opening, be swift as a hare.
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The expert in battle seeks his victory from strategic advantage and does not demand it from his men.
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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.
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