Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.

Quote by Sun Tzu

Topics: Sun Tzu Quotes

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 war is deception.

All war is deception.

The art of giving orders is not to try to rectify the minor blunders and...

The art of giving orders is not to try to rectify the minor blunders and...

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...

There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited.

There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited.

To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is...

To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is...

War is based on deception.

War is based on deception.

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

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

For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of...

For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of...

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will...

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will...

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory...

Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory...

Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys;...

Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys;...

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...

He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious.

He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious.

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...

Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.

Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.

Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?

Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?

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...

There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.

There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.