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Probe him and learn where his strength is abundant and where deficient.

Sun Tzu

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Sun Tzu
Military Personnel
Philosopher
Strategist
Writer
Kingdom of Qi
Sun Wu
Sun Zi
Changqing
Probe
Deficient
Abundant
Strength
Learn

More quotes by Sun Tzu

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A battle avoided cannot be lost.
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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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Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend march swiftly to places where you are not expected.
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An army may be likened to water, for just as flowing water avoids the heights and hastens to the lowlands, so an army avoids strength and strikes weakness.
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The successful person has unusual skill at dealing with conflict and ensuring the best outcome for all.
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To persuade your enemy to (retreat) before the fight is to defeat them even before the battle begins. An enemy made ally is no longer an enemy.
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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.
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In the tumult and uproar, the battle seems chaotic, but there is no disorder, the troops appear to be milling about in circles but cannot be defeated.
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We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country.
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He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
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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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It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy upright and just, and thus maintain order.
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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.
Sun Tzu
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So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak. Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.
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Agitate him and ascertain the pattern of his movement.
Sun Tzu
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Subtle and insubstantial, the expert leaves no trace divinely mysterious, he is inaudible. Thus he is master of his enemy's fate.
Sun Tzu
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Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.
Sun Tzu
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However desperate the situation and circumstances, don't despair. When there is everything to fear, be unafraid. When surrounded by dangers, fear none of them. When without resources, depend on resourcefulness. When surprised, take the enemy by surprise.
Sun Tzu
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It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him if five to one, to attack him if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.
Sun Tzu
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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.
Sun Tzu