Quote

Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.

Sun Tzu

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Sun Tzu
Military Personnel
Philosopher
Strategist
Writer
Kingdom of Qi
Sun Wu
Sun Zi
Changqing
Keep
Even
Closer
Enemies
Close
Enemy
Friends

More quotes by Sun Tzu

Image
The nature of war is constant change.
Sun Tzu
Image
The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.
Sun Tzu
Image
Secret operations are essential in war upon them the army relies to make its every move.
Sun Tzu
Image
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
Image
Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled against another ten times its size, the result will be the flight of the former.
Sun Tzu
Image
The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.
Sun Tzu
Image
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
Image
Generally, management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization. And to control many is the same as to control few. This is a matter of formations and signals.
Sun Tzu
Image
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.
Sun Tzu
Image
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.
Sun Tzu
Image
Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow decision, to the releasing of a trigger.
Sun Tzu
Image
Someone unfamiliar with the mountains and forests cannot advance [the team]. One who does not employ local guides cannot gain the advantage.
Sun Tzu
Image
The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points and his forces being thus distributed in many directions, the numbers we shall have to face at any given point will be proportionately few.
Sun Tzu
Image
If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed.
Sun Tzu
Image
For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.
Sun Tzu
Image
There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.
Sun Tzu
Image
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.
Sun Tzu
Image
The successful person has unusual skill at dealing with conflict and ensuring the best outcome for all.
Sun Tzu
Image
He who relies solely on warlike measures shall be exterminated he who relies solely on peaceful measures shall perish.
Sun Tzu
Image
Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate.
Sun Tzu