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It is a doctrine of war not to assume the enemy will not come, but rather to rely on one's readiness to meet him not to presume that he will not attack, but rather to make one's self invincible.

Sun Tzu

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Sun Tzu
Military Personnel
Philosopher
Strategist
Writer
Kingdom of Qi
Sun Wu
Sun Zi
Changqing
War
Assume
Art
Rely
Come
Attack
Self
Assuming
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Doctrine
Meet
Presume
Enemy
Readiness
Rather
Invincible

More quotes by Sun Tzu

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So a military force has no constant formation, water has no constant shape: the ability to gain victory by changing and adapting according to the opponent is called genius.
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The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
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Invincibility is in oneself, and vulnerability is in the opponent. Invincibility is a matter of defense, vulnerability is a matter of attack. Therefore skillful warriors are able to be invincible, but they cannot cause opponents to be vulnerable. That is why it is said that victory is discerned and not manufactured.
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He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
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In warfare, first lay plans which will ensure victory, and then lead your army to battle if you will not begin with stratagem but rely on brute strength alone, victory will no longer be assured.
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Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price.
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Every battle is won before it is fought.
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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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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.
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It is according to the shapes that I lay the plans for victory, but the multitude does not comprehend this. Although everyone can see the outward aspects, none understands the way in which I have created victory.
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One who sets the entire army in motion to chase an advantage will not attain it.
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He whose ranks are united in purpose will be victorious.
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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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Move not unless you see an advantage use not your troops unless there is something to be gained fight not unless the position is critical.
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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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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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The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming.
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Who can determine where one ends and the other begins?
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The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilize combined energy
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What is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations.
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