1
Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.Sun Tzu
2
There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard. There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combinationthey produce more hues than can ever been seen. There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations ofthem yield more flavours than can ever be tasted.Sun Tzu
3
The wise warrior avoids the battle.Sun Tzu
4
Foreknowledge cannot be gotten from ghosts and spirits, cannot be had by analogy, cannot be found out by calculation. It must be obtained from people, people who know the conditions of the enemy.Sun Tzu
5
Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.Sun Tzu
6
You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended. You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.Sun Tzu
7
Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment – that which they cannot anticipate.Sun Tzu
8
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.Sun Tzu
9
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.Sun Tzu
10
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.Sun Tzu
11
If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected .Sun Tzu
12
There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.Sun Tzu
13
Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.Sun Tzu
14
The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.Sun Tzu
15
When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.Sun Tzu
16
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
17
Who wishes to fight must first count the costSun Tzu
18
Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.Sun Tzu
19
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.Sun Tzu
20
Great results, can be achieved with small forces.Sun Tzu
21
The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.Sun Tzu
22
If your opponent is of choleric temper,  seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.Sun Tzu
23
He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.Sun Tzu
24
Bravery without forethought, causes a man to fight blindly and desperately like a mad bull. Such an opponent, must not be encountered with brute force, but may be lured into an ambush and slain.Sun Tzu
25
When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away...Sun Tzu
26
Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible; and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands.Sun Tzu
27
If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst. [One may know the condition of a whole army from the behavior of a single man.]Sun Tzu
28
Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.Sun Tzu
29
Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.Sun Tzu
30
Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength.Sun Tzu
31
The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.Sun Tzu
32
Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home.Sun Tzu
33
It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.Sun Tzu
34
For should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will weaken his van; should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right; should he strengthen his right, he will weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.Sun Tzu
35
If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high rampart and a deep ditch. All we need do is attack some other place that he will be obliged to relieve.Sun Tzu
36
When you start a fire, be to windward of it. Do not attack from the leeward.Sun Tzu
37
War is like a fire - if you do not put it out, it will burn itself out.Sun Tzu
38
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 attachedto you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless.Sun Tzu
39
Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.Sun Tzu
40
Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day.Sun Tzu
41
If you do not take opportunity  to  advance and reward  the  deserving,   your subordinates will not carry out your commands, and disaster will ensue.Sun Tzu
42
Mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemySun Tzu
43
If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.Sun Tzu
44
When your army has crossed the border, you should burn your boats and bridges, in order to make it clear to everybody that you have no hankering after home.Sun Tzu
45
If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak.ÂSun Tzu
46
The worst calamities that befall an army arise from hesitationSun Tzu
47
You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended.Sun Tzu
48
When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.Sun Tzu
49
Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.Sun Tzu
50
If you fight with all your might, Â there is a chance of life; where as death is certain if you cling to your cornerSun Tzu