Military Tactics Quotes

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win." "He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight." "When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move." "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" "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." "The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies" "Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake." "Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing." "So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak." "To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting." "The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom." "Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical." "Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack." "Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack." "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." "One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all." "Who wishes to fight must first count the cost." "Quickness is the essence of the war."