Quotes About War

80 quotes

6th century BCE Chinese general and military strategist

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 hold positions that cannot be attacked.

— The Art of War

6th century BCE Chinese general and military strategist

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

— The Art of War

6th century BCE Chinese general and military strategist

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

— The Art of War

6th century BCE Chinese general and military strategist

There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.

— The Art of War

6th century BCE Chinese general and military strategist

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

— The Art of War

6th century BCE Chinese general and military strategist

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

— The Art of War

6th century BCE Chinese general and military strategist

To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.

— The Art of War

6th century BCE Chinese general and military strategist

the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

— The Art of War