Sun Tzu Quotes

All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.

To lift an autumn hair is no sign of great strength; to see the sun and moon is no sign of sharp sight; to hear the noise of thunder is no sign of a quick ear.

When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.

There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.

from the ancient Chinese commentators found in the Giles edition. Of these four, Giles' 1910 edition is the most scholarly and presents the reader an incredible amount of information concerning Sun Tzu's text, much more than any other translation. The Giles' edition of the ART OF WAR, as stated above, was a scholarly work. Dr. Giles was a leading sinologue at the time and an assistant in the Department

Stir opponents up, making them respond to you; then you can observe their forms of behavior, and whether they are orderly or confused.

Neither is it the acme of excellence if you fight and conquer and the whole Empire says, “Well done!

Disorder came from order, fear came from courage, weakness came from strength.

此（譯注：用間）兵之要，三軍之所恃而動也。

By reinforcing every part, he weakens every part.

Conform to the enemy's tactics until a favorable opportunity offers; then come forth and engage in a battle that shall prove decisive.

He wins his battles by making no mistakes.
Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.

If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive;
and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached
to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless.

If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.

There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must be not attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.