Sun Tzu expressions. Quotes from the book “The Art of War. Quotes from the book “The Art of War”

The wittiest aphorisms and quotes. Art of War

Preliminary calculations

War is a great thing for the state, it is the ground of life and death, it is the path of existence and death. This needs to be understood.

War is the path of deception. Therefore, even if you can do something, show your opponent that you cannot; if you use something, show him that you don’t use it; even if you are close, show that you are far away; even if you are far away, show that you are close; lure him with benefits; upset him and take him; if he is full, be ready; if it is strong, avoid it; by arousing anger in him, bring him into a state of frustration; Having assumed a humble appearance, arouse conceit in him; if his strength is fresh, tire him out; if he is friendly, separate him; attack him when he is not ready; perform when he doesn't expect it.

Whoever, even before the battle, wins by preliminary calculation has many chances; whoever - even before the battle - does not win by calculation has little chance. The one who has many chances wins; those who have little chance do not win; especially the one who has no chance at all. Therefore, for me - at the sight of this one thing - victory and defeat are already clear.

If you have a thousand light chariots and a thousand heavy ones, a hundred thousand soldiers, if provisions must be sent a thousand miles, then internal and external expenses, expenses for receiving guests, material for varnish and glue, equipment for chariots and weapons - all this will amount to a thousand gold coins. day. Only in this case can an army of one hundred thousand be raised.

Waging war

If a war is waged and victory is delayed, the weapons become dull and the edges break off; if they besiege a fortress for a long time, their forces are undermined; if the army is left in the field for a long time, the state does not have enough funds.

When the weapon becomes dull and the edges break off, the strength is undermined and the means dry up, the princes, taking advantage of your weakness, will rise up against you. Even if you have smart servants then, you won’t be able to do anything after that.

Therefore, in war we heard about success when it was carried out quickly, even if it was conducted unskillfully, and we have not yet seen success when it was carried out for a long time, even if it was conducted skillfully.

It has never happened before that a war lasted for a long time and this would be beneficial to the state. Therefore, anyone who does not fully understand all the harm from war cannot fully understand all the benefits from war.

He who knows how to wage war does not recruit twice, does not load provisions three times; he takes equipment from his own state, but takes provisions from the enemy. That's why he has enough food for the soldiers.

During the war, the state becomes poorer because provisions are transported far away. When food needs to be transported far away, the people become poorer.

Those close to the army sell high; and when they sell at a high price, the people's funds are exhausted; when funds are depleted, it is difficult to fulfill duties.

Strength is being undermined, funds are drying up in our country - the houses are empty; the people's property is reduced by seven tenths; the ruler's property - the war chariots were broken, the horses were exhausted; helmets, armor, bows and arrows, spears and small shields, pikes and large shields, oxen and carts - all this is reduced by six tenths.

Therefore, a smart commander tries to feed himself at the expense of the enemy. Moreover, one pound of the enemy’s food corresponds to twenty pounds of our own; one pound of the enemy’s bran and straw corresponds to twenty pounds of our own.

If ten or more chariots are captured during a chariot battle, distribute them as a reward to those who captured them first, and change the banners on them. Mix these chariots with yours and ride them. Treat the soldiers well and take care of them. This is called: defeating the enemy and increasing your strength.

War loves victory and does not like duration.

Therefore, a commander who understands war is the ruler of the destinies of the people, is the master of the security of the state.

Strategic attack

According to the rules of war, the best thing is to keep the enemy state intact, and in second place is to crush that state. The best thing is to keep the enemy army intact, the second best thing is to defeat it. The best thing is to keep the enemy brigade intact, the second best thing is to defeat it. The best thing is to keep the enemy battalion intact, the second best thing is to defeat it. The best thing is to keep the enemy company intact, the second best thing is to defeat it. The best thing is to keep the enemy platoon intact, the second best thing is to defeat it. Therefore, fighting a hundred times and winning a hundred times is not the best of the best; the best of the best is to conquer someone else's army without fighting.

Therefore, the best war is to defeat the enemy’s plans; in the next place - to break his alliances; in the next place - to defeat his troops. The worst thing is to besiege a fortress. According to the rules of the siege of fortresses, such a siege should be carried out only when it is unavoidable. The preparation of large shields, siege chariots, the construction of embankments, and the preparation of equipment requires three months; however, the commander, unable to overcome his impatience, sends his soldiers to attack like ants; in this case, one third of the officers and soldiers are killed, and the fortress remains untaken. Such are the disastrous consequences of a siege.

Therefore, he who knows how to wage war conquers another's army without fighting; takes other people's fortresses without besieging them; crushes a foreign state without holding his army for long. He makes sure to keep everything intact and thereby challenges the power in the Middle Kingdom. Therefore, it is possible to have a benefit without blunting the weapon: this is the rule of strategic attack.

The rule of war is: if you have ten times more forces than the enemy, surround him on all sides; if you have five times more strength, attack him; if you have twice as much strength, divide it into parts; if the forces are equal, be able to fight him; if you have less strength, be able to defend yourself from him; If your army is generally worse, be able to evade it. Therefore, those who persist with small forces become prisoners of a strong enemy.

A commander for a state is like a fastening on a cart: if this fastening is tightly fitted, the state will certainly be strong; if the fastening is loosened, the state will certainly be weak.

Therefore, the army suffers from its sovereign in three cases:

When he, not knowing that the army should not march, orders it to march; when he, not knowing that the army should not retreat, orders it to retreat; this means that he binds the army.

When he, not knowing what an army is, applies to its management the same principles that govern the state; then the commanders in the army become confused.

When he, not knowing what army tactics are, is guided in appointing a commander by the same principles as in the state; then the commanders in the army become confused.

When the army becomes confused and confused, trouble comes from the princes. This means: to upset your army and give victory to the enemy.

Therefore, they know that they will win in five cases: they win if they know when to fight and when not to; they win when they know how to use both large and small forces; they win where the higher and the lower have the same desires; they win when they themselves are careful and wait for the enemy’s carelessness; Those who have a talented commander, and the sovereign does not lead him, win. These five provisions are the path to knowing victory.

That is why it is said: if you know him and know yourself, fight at least a hundred times, there will be no danger; if you know yourself, but don’t know him, you will win once, another time you will be defeated; If you don’t know yourself or him, every time you fight you will be defeated.

In ancient times, those who fought well first of all made themselves invincible and, in this state, waited until they could defeat the enemy.

Invincibility lies in oneself, the possibility of victory lies in the enemy.

Therefore, one who fights well can make himself invincible, but cannot force his opponent to necessarily allow himself to be defeated.

That is why it is said: “Victory can be known, but it cannot be achieved.”

Invincibility is defense; The opportunity to win is an offensive.

When they are on the defensive, it means there is something lacking; when they attack, it means there is everything in abundance.

He who defends himself well hides in the depths of the underworld; he who attacks well acts from the heights of heaven.

Anyone who sees victory no more than other people is not the best of the best. When someone, fighting, wins and the Celestial Empire says: “Good,” it will not be the best of the best.

Wise thoughts

(VI century BC)

An ancient Chinese strategist and thinker, presumably who lived in the 6th or, according to other sources, in the 4th century BC. e. Author of the famous treatise on military strategy “The Art of War”.

Quote: 1 - 17 of 58

An army that conquers a hundred diseases will be victorious.

In *Administration of the Army* it is said: *Since they could not hear each other, they invented gongs and drums; since they could not see each other, they came up with banners and flags. * Gongs and drums, banners and flags are a means of merging the eyes and ears of people. When people are united, the courageous will not be able to advance alone, the timid will not be able to retreat alone. This is the rule for managing large forces.

In a combat battle, the most difficult thing is to turn a roundabout path into a direct one, to turn an unfavorable situation into an advantage. Therefore, if you force the enemy to take a roundabout route and lure him with benefits, even if you set out after him, you will arrive before him. This is an understanding of the tactics of circumferential and direct.

In ancient times, those who succeeded in war first of all made themselves invincible in order to wait [for the moment when] they could conquer the enemy. Invincibility lies within oneself; the possibility of victory depends on the enemy. Therefore, one who succeeds in war can make himself invincible, but cannot necessarily force the enemy to submit. Therefore, it is said that the strategy to defeat the enemy can be learned, but cannot always be applied.

In battle, numerical superiority alone does not provide an advantage. There is no need to go on the attack, relying only on naked military might.

War is a great matter of the state, the basis of life and death, the path to survival or death. This needs to be carefully weighed and considered.

War is a path of deception. Therefore, even if [you] are capable, show your opponent your inability. When you must bring your forces into battle, pretend to be inactive. When [the goal] is close, show it as if it is far away; when she is really far away, create the impression that she is close.

War is a path of deception. If you can do anything, show your opponent that you can’t; if you use something, show him that you don’t use it; even if you are close, show that you are far away; even if you are far away, show that you are close.

War loves victory and does not like duration.

All warriors know the form [of forces] through which we achieve victory, but no one knows the form [of forces] with which we control victory. Therefore, a victorious combat [strategy] is not repeated; the forms of response to the enemy are innumerable.

The highest essence of war is to destroy the plans of the enemy; then - to destroy his alliances; then - attack his army; and the last thing - to attack his fortified cities.

The willingness to sacrifice oneself to fulfill one's duty is the basis for maintaining life.

In order to force the enemy to act against his will, lure him with some [clear] benefit. In order to prevent the enemy from coming forward, show him the [possible] harm of this. Therefore, if the enemy is fresh, you can tire him out; if he is full, you can make him starve; if he is resting, you can disturb him. Move forward to the positions to which he must rush. Hurry forward to where he does not expect it... When someone knows how to attack, the enemy does not know where to organize defense; when one knows how to defend, the enemy does not know where to attack.

War is a great thing for the state, it is the ground of life and death, it is the path of existence and death. This needs to be understood.

Waging war

He who knows how to wage war does not recruit twice, does not load provisions three times; takes equipment from its own state, but supplies

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The Art of War is a unique collection of the strategist and thinker Sun Tzu, the most famous ancient Chinese treatise. Quotes from the book are fundamental to military strategy, politics and military philosophy in general.

Quotes from the book “The Art of War”

War is a path of deception. Therefore, even if you are capable, show your opponent your inability. When you must bring your forces into battle, pretend to be inactive. When the target is near, make it appear as if it is far away; when she is really far away, create the impression that she is close.

If a commander talks to his soldiers kindly and courteously, it means he has lost his army.

The best war is to defeat the enemy's plans; in the next place - to break his alliances; in the next place - defeat his troops. The worst thing is to besiege fortresses.

Avoiding confrontation with great forces does not indicate cowardice, but wisdom, for sacrificing oneself is never an advantage.

Fury kills the enemy, greed seizes his wealth.

War is a great matter of the state, the basis of life and death, the path to survival or death. This needs to be carefully weighed and considered.

... a commander who understands war is the ruler of the destinies of the people, is the master of the security of the state.

If you find out that you have an enemy spy and is watching you, be sure to influence him with benefit; bring him in and place him with you.

Subjugation of other states without entering into a military conflict, that is, the ideal of complete victory.

To win a hundred victories in a hundred battles is not the pinnacle of martial art. To defeat the enemy without fighting is the pinnacle.

Being close, they wait for those far away; being in full strength, they wait for the weary; being full, they wait for the hungry; This is the management of power.

War loves victory and does not like duration.

Invincibility lies in oneself, the possibility of victory lies in the enemy.

Being in order, one expects disorder; being calm, they expect unrest; this is heart control.

Power is the ability to use tactics in accordance with profit.

Go forward where they are not expected; attack where you are not prepared.

Sun Tzu- Chinese military leader, strategist and thinker, presumably who lived in the 6th or 4th century BC. e. Wei Lao Tzu wrote about him: “There was a man who had only 30,000 troops, and no one in the Celestial Empire could resist him. Who is this? I answer: Sun Tzu." At the request of Prince Ho Lu, he wrote the subsequently famous treatise on military strategy - “The Art of War”. The ideal victory from Sun Tzu's point of view is the subjugation of others through diplomatic methods, without the use of aggression. This is the dialectic of loyalty and deception, strength and weakness, belligerence and peacefulness. Here are some quotes belonging to Sun Tzu:

If you don't know what your children are like, look at their friends.
There is no faster way to mastering knowledge than sincere love for a wise teacher.
A person’s bad qualities and actions depend on himself.
Trouble comes when people, in their laziness, forget to take care of themselves.
Newborns cry the same everywhere. When they grow up, they have different habits. This is the result of upbringing.
If you act too harshly, you will fail; if you act too softly, you yourself will find yourself in chains.
You have to study all your life, until your last breath!
A thoroughbred horse cannot cover distances of a thousand miles in one jump. On a nag you can cover this distance in ten days, if you don’t stop halfway.
When a person has a lot of free time, he will achieve little.
Wise and capable people should be promoted to positions regardless of their position; lazy and incapable people should be immediately removed from office; the main villains must be executed without waiting for their re-education; ordinary, average people need to be educated without waiting for punishment to be applied to them.
Even if a person by nature has excellent qualities and wisdom, he must still receive a wise teacher and follow him, he must choose good people as friends and be friends with them.
There is no need to argue with someone who likes to argue.
The ruler can be compared to a boat, and the people to water: water can carry a boat, or it can capsize it.
When you see good things, you should treat them with respect and check whether you have these qualities. When you see something bad, you should treat it with contempt and check whether you have these qualities.
When asked an indecent question, you should not answer it. When talking about indecent things, you should not ask questions. When they say indecent things, you should not listen.
Without climbing a high mountain, you will not know the height of the sky. Without looking into a deep gorge in the mountains, you will not know the thickness of the earth. Without hearing the behests of your ancestors, you will not recognize the greatness of learning.
War loves victory and does not like duration.
If you sit on the bank of a river for a long time, you can see the corpse of your enemy floating along it.
The best war is to defeat the enemy's plans.
He who correctly points out my mistakes is my teacher; he who rightly marks my right actions is my friend; he who flatters me is my enemy.
Managing many is the same as managing few. It's a matter of organization.
Newborns cry the same everywhere. When they grow up, they have different habits. This is the result of upbringing.
Even if a person by nature has excellent qualities and wisdom, he must still receive a wise teacher and follow him, he must choose good people as friends and be friends with them.
What happens without the participation of man’s labor, and what he receives apart from his desires, constitutes the activity of heaven... When a person refuses to do what is destined for him and expects heaven to do everything for him, he is mistaken.

To be continued…