Sun Tzu

All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which read more

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

To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.

To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.

The proximity of an army causes prices to go up; and high prices cause people's substance to be drained away. read more

The proximity of an army causes prices to go up; and high prices cause people's substance to be drained away. When their substance is drained away, they will be afflicted by heavy exactions. With this loss of substance and exhaustion of strength, the homes of the people will be stripped bare, and their incomes dissipated.

So there are five ways of knowing who will win. Those who know when to fight and when not to read more

So there are five ways of knowing who will win. Those who know when to fight and when not to fight are victorious. Those who discern when to use many or few troops are victorious. Those whose upper and lower ranks have the same desire are victorious.

To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance read more

To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.