In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good.

Quote by Sun Tzu

Topics: Sun Tzu Quotes

All war is deception.

All war is deception.

The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.

The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.

All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is...

All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is...

To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists...

To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists...

If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a...

If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a...

The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's...

The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's...

The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought...

The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought...

Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the...

Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the...

Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the Attack.

Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the Attack.

A wise general makes a point of foraging of the enemy.

A wise general makes a point of foraging of the enemy.

Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.

Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.

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

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

Let your plans be dark and as impenetratable as night, and when you move, fall...

Let your plans be dark and as impenetratable as night, and when you move, fall...

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable;...

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable;...

Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend;...

Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend;...

So the important thing in a military operation is victory, not persistence.

So the important thing in a military operation is victory, not persistence.

The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle...

The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle...

The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous...

The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous...

The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it...

The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it...

The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity...

The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity...