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In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.

Sun Tzu

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Sun Tzu
Military Personnel
Philosopher
Strategist
Writer
Kingdom of Qi
Sun Wu
Sun Zi
Changqing
War
Great
Lengthy
Campaigns
Object
Victory
Objects

More quotes by Sun Tzu

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There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.
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Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation.
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When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if round-shaped to go rolling down.
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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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Thus the skilful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.
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Those who would wage war, should first eliminate all domestic enemies before proceeding to attack the external foe.
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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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Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient.
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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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Thus, though I have heard of successful military operations that were clumsy but swift, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.
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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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When you shoot a bow and arrow, you aim at the clouds, not because you expect to hit them, but so that you may reach the distant target on the ground.
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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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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 skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting.
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To perceive victory when it is known to all is not really skilful. Everyone calls victory in battle good, but it is not really good.
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When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.
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With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies. Then you will be able to fight with advantage.
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When campaigning, be swift as the wind in leisurely march, majestic as the forest in raiding and plundering, like fire in standing, firm as the mountains. As unfathomable as the clouds, move like a thunderbolt.
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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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