![]() He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers. By employing the officers of his army without discrimination, through ignorance of the military principle of adaptation to circumstances. By attempting to govern an army in the same way as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of the conditions which obtain in an army This causes restlessness in the soldier’s minds. There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune upon his army: By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey This is called hobbling the army. ![]() Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy’s plans, the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy’s forces, the next in order is to attack the enemy’s army in the field, and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities. To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting. So, too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it. In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy’s country whole and intact to shatter and destroy it is not so good. It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.īring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy… use the conquered foe to augment one’s own strength. Though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays. Then no man, however wise, will be able to avert the consequences that must ensue… In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns. Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardor dampened, your strength exhausted and your treasure spent, other chieftains will spring up to take advantage of your extremity. Again, if the campaign is protracted, the resources of the State will not be equal to the strain. If you lay siege to a town, you will exhaust your strength. When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men’s weapons will grow dull and their ardor will be dampened. He who wishes to fight must first count the cost. – Sun Tzu, quotes from the Art of War Quotes Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to w in or lose. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. Look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death!” “Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys. ……….for a small force is but booty for one more powerful.” ……And if in all respects unequal, be capable of eluding him, ……If weaker numerically, be capable of withdrawing ……When five times his strength, attack him ……When ten to the enemy’s one, surround him Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. ![]() ![]() Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable when using our forces, we must seem 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. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglectedĪll warfare is based on deception. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. The art of war is of vital importance to the State. The Sun Tzu quotes are from “The Art of War”.ĭownload or View the complete version of Art of War in PDF format here Military Related Sun Tzu Quotes, The Art of War Quotes (visit wikipedia to learn more about Sun Tzu) The Art of War is an extremely influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy, and it’s still regarded as one of the most important books on the subject today. Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher and the author of the Art of War.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |