"One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all.

Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home.
~ Sun Tzu ~












More Sun Tzu quotes
"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity
"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...
"If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.
"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 hol...
"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 a...
"To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.
"the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
"Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
"War is like a fire - if you do not put it out, it will burn itself out.
"Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength.
"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 bat...
"The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
"Know the enemy, know yourself and victory is never in doubt, not in a hundred battles.
"When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is INSUBORDINATION.