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Therefore a victorious army first wins and then seeks battle a defeated army first battles and then seeks victory.

Sun Tzu

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Sun Tzu
Military Personnel
Philosopher
Strategist
Writer
Kingdom of Qi
Sun Wu
Sun Zi
Changqing
Victory
Battle
Therefore
Victorious
Winning
Battles
War
Wins
Firsts
Seeks
First
Defeated
Army

More quotes by Sun Tzu

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Without harmony in the State, no military expedition can be undertaken without harmony in the army, no battle array can be formed.
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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.
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All war is deception.
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It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle.
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Kill one, terrify a thousand.
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There are routes not to be followed, armies not to be attacked, citadels not to be besieged, territory not to be fought over.
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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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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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The peak efficiency of knowledge and strategy is to make conflict unnecessary.
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Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business.
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A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.
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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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When the thunderclap comes, there is no time to cover the ears.
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When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.
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Without local guides, your enemy employs the land as a weapon against you.
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A battle avoided cannot be lost.
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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.
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Secret operations are essential in war upon them the army relies to make its every move.
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Appraise war in terms of the fundamental factors. The first of these factors is moral influence.
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the leader of armies is the arbiter of the people's fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril.
Sun Tzu