Quotes about war
war matter states
War is a matter of vital importance to the state. Sun Tzu
war army enemy
Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle .... They conquer by strategy.
war enemy conquer
To conquer the enemy without resorting to war is the most desirable. The highest form of generalship is to conquer the enemy by strategy.
war army safety
Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.
war essence quickness
Quickness is the essence of the war.
war warfare instance
There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.
war decision may
Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.
war deception enemy
All warfare is based on deception. There is no place where espionage is not used. Offer the enemy bait to lure him.
war arrogance inferiority
Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.
war constant
The nature of war is constant change.
war men greatest-victory
All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
war character responsibility
A sovereign of high character and intelligence must be able to know the right man, should place the responsibility on him, and expect results.
warrior opponents defense
You can prevent your opponent from defeating you through defense, but you cannot defeat him without taking the offensive.
war winning waiting
He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
war fighting victory
If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding.
war army fighting
To capture the enemy's entire army is better than to destroy it; to take intact a regiment, a company, or a squad is better than to destroy them. For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the supreme of excellence. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence.
war deception
All war is deception.
war army fighting
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.
warrior battle samurai
The dance of battle is always played to the same impatient rhythm. What begins in a surge of violent motion is always reduced to the perfectly still.
war enemy spy
The end and aim of spying in all its five varieties is knowledge of the enemy; and this knowledge can only be derived, in the first instance, from the converted spy. Hence it is essential that the converted spy be treated with the utmost liberality.
war military deception
A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.
war fate directors
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.
war military persistence
So the important thing in a military operation is victory, not persistence.
war believe enemy
If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.
war lost
All wars are won or lost before they are ever fought.
war army sovereign
There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.
war moon passing-away
Like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more.
war deception
All war is based on deception.
war evil way
It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.
war victory campaigns
In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.
war moving creating
Those skilled at making the enemy move do so by creating a situation to which he must conform; they entice him with something he is certain to take, and with lures of ostensible profit they await him in strength.
war lying victory
Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack.
war opportunity speed
What is of the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed: One cannot afford to neglect opportunity.