Sun Tzu on Fear Quotes

"Confront them with annihilation, and they will then survive; plunge them into a deadly situation, and they will then live."

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

"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."

"Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak."

"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting."

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

"The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought."

"Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt."

"If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant."

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

"If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive."

"If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near."

"Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain."

"Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected."

"The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim."

"All warfare is based on deception."

"He who lacks foresight and underestimates his enemy will surely be captured."

"When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard."

"Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared."

"By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, he keeps the enemy without definite knowledge."

"Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose."

"One may know how to conquer without being able to do it."

"Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger."

"If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them."

"There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must be not struck, cities which must be not besieged."

"The skillful soldier does not raise a second levy, neither are his supply-wagons loaded more than twice."

"Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across."

"If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things."

"Great results can be achieved with small forces."

"Quickness is the essence of the war."

"He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight."

"The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals."

"There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare."