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Sun Tzu - The Art of War
Personal archives | 05-04-02 | PsyOp

Posted on 05/04/2002 10:10:07 PM PDT by PsyOp

AMBASSADORS

When the enemy's envoy's speak in humble terms, but continues his preparations, he will advance. When their language is deceptive but the enemy pretentiously advances, he will retreat. When the envoys speak in apologetic terms, he wishes a respite. When without a previous understanding the enemy asks for a truce, he is plotting. When the enemy sees an advantage but does not advance to seize it, he is fatigued. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c. 400-320 b.c.


ARMIES

One who sets the entire army in motion to chase an advantage will not attain it. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.

To capture an enemies army is better than to destroy it. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.


CHANGE As water has no constant form, there are in war no constant conditions. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.
DECEPTION

All warfare is based on deception. Therefore, when capable, feign incapacity; when active, inactivity. When near, make it appear that you are far away; When far away that you are near. Offer the enemy a bait to lure him; feign disorder and strike him. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.


DETERRENCE

It is a doctrine of war not to assume the enemy will not come, but rather to rely on one's readiness to meet him; not to presume that he will not attack, but rather to make one's self invincible. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.


ENEMIES

Do not press an enemy at bay. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War, c.400-320 b.c.


FIGHTING

To fight and conquer in all our battles is not the supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistence without fighting. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War, c.400-320 b.c.

He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.


FOREIGN POLICY

If not in the interests of the state, do not act. If you cannot succeed, do not use troops. If you are not in danger, do not fight. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.


GENERALS

He whose generals are able and not interfered with by the sovereign will be victorious. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War, c.400-320 b.c.

It is the business of a general to be serene and inscrutable, impartial and self-controlled. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War, c.400-320 b.c.

The General who in advancing does not seek personal fame, and in withdrawing is not concerned with avoiding punishment, but whose only purpose is to protect the people and promote the best interests of his sovereign, is the precious jewel of the state. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War, c.400-320 b.c.


INFORMATION

Know the enemy, know yourself; your victory will never be endangered. Know the ground, know the weather; your victory will then be total. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War, c.400-320 b.c.


LEADERSHIP

When orders are consistently trustworthy and observed, the relationship of a commander with his troops is satisfactory. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War, c.400-320 b.c.

The general must be the first in the toils and fatigues of the army. In the heat of summer he does not spread his parasol nor in the cold of winter don thick clothing. In dangerous places he must dismount and walk. He waits until the army's wells have been dug and only then drinks; until the army's food is cooked before he eats; until the army's fortifications have been completed, to shelter himself. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War, c.400-320 b.c.

A skilled commander seeks victory from the situation and does not demand it of his subordinates. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War, c.400-320 b.c.


MANEUVER

Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuver. What is difficult about maneuver is to make the devious route the most direct and to turn misfortune to advantage. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.


PATIENCE

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.


POWER

In war, numbers alone confer no advantage. Do not advance relying on sheer military power. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 B.C.


PREPARATION

One who has few must prepare against the enemy; one who has many makes the enemy prepare against him. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.


PROVOCATION

Agitate him and ascertain the pattern of his movement. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.


SPEED

Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precaution. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.


STRATEGY

Should one ask: 'how do I cope with a well-ordered enemy host about to attack me?' I reply: seize something he cherishes and he will conform to your desires. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.

Subtle and insubstantial, the expert leaves no trace; divinely mysterious, he is inaudible. Thus he is the master of his enemy's fate. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.

What is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.

To a surrounded enemy you must leave a way of escape. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.

When campaigning, be swift as the wind; in leisurely march, majestic as the forest; in raiding and plundering, like fire; in standing, firm as the mountains. As unfathomable as the clouds, move like a thunderbolt. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.


SURPRISE

Birds rising in flight is a sign that the enemy is lying in ambush; when the wild animals are startled and flee he is trying to take you unaware. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.

Attack where he is unprepared; sally forth when he does not expect you. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.


TACTICS

When I have won a victory I do not repeat my tactics but respond to circumstances in an infinite variety of ways. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War, c.400-320 b.c.


VICTORY

As water shapes its flow in accordance with the ground, so an army manages its victory in accordance with the situation of the enemy. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.

Victory is the main object in war. If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.

He whose ranks are united in purpose will be victorious. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.


VULNERABILITY

Invincibility depends on one's self; the enemy's vulnerability on him. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.


WAR

War is a matter of vital importance to the state; the province of life or death; the road to survival or ruin. It is mandatory that it be thoroughly studied. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.

Generally in war the best policy is to take a state intact; to ruin it is inferior to this. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.

There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefitted. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.


WINNING

The supreme excellence is not to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles. The supreme excellence is to subdue the armies of your enemies without having to fight them. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War. c.400-320 b.c.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; Miscellaneous; Philosophy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: government; history; philosophy; politics; quotes; strategy; suntzu; tactics; theartofwar; war
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Comment #61 Removed by Moderator

Comment #62 Removed by Moderator

To: rudy45

ping


63 posted on 12/30/2005 1:36:56 PM PST by rudy45
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To: rudy45

I picked up a paperback copy of this a couple of weeks ago and it is a fairly easy read except that it was translated by an Englishman in 1910 and so the English is a little difficult to decipher at times but still a great read! I wonder how many times W has read it?


64 posted on 12/30/2005 1:49:25 PM PST by Xanadu2112
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To: PsyOp

Bump!


65 posted on 12/30/2005 1:51:02 PM PST by G Larry (Only strict constructionists on the Supreme Court!)
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To: TR Jeffersonian

ping


66 posted on 12/30/2005 1:53:06 PM PST by kalee
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To: PsyOp

Sun Tzu's Art of War is a great handbook for fighting a war, but if you try to apply away from the battlefield, towards the inner workings of government all you will end up with is a Macivellian tyranny.


67 posted on 12/30/2005 1:54:40 PM PST by Paul C. Jesup
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To: XJarhead; You Dirty Rats

Major PING!!!!


68 posted on 12/30/2005 2:04:21 PM PST by GoldwaterChick
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To: Paul C. Jesup

What about applying it to business? I see SOME parallels, but obviously we can't apply everything.


69 posted on 12/30/2005 2:04:32 PM PST by rudy45
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To: PsyOp

Thanks. Which translation are you quoting from?


70 posted on 12/30/2005 2:07:38 PM PST by rudy45
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To: Lazamataz

Sounds like Zawahiri (???) But for sure it sounds like the MSM too--"Get news out on your terms and you may win world approval" (Especially if it's all lies!)


71 posted on 12/30/2005 2:09:06 PM PST by GoldwaterChick
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To: rudy45
What about applying it to business?

If you treat business like war, you will soon have real bloodshed between companies.

72 posted on 12/30/2005 2:30:49 PM PST by Paul C. Jesup
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To: Squantos
I picked up a copy of "Discourses Upon the First Ten Books of Titus Livy - text of the work by Niccolo Machiavelli" today

The Discourses is a great book

73 posted on 12/30/2005 3:11:40 PM PST by SauronOfMordor (A planned society is most appealing to those with the hubris to think they will be the planners)
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To: Lazamataz
"Mobility is better than fortification."

Unless you are proceeding through a kill zone.

74 posted on 12/30/2005 3:22:42 PM PST by verity (The MSM is a National disgrace.)
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To: Squantos

Chusingura, the 47 Ronin.


75 posted on 12/30/2005 3:28:18 PM PST by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: SauronOfMordor; tet68

Man ya'll diggin up old stuff tonight !....LOL !

Great works.......Ya'll Stay safe I have to run some errands !

Will check back later.....


76 posted on 12/30/2005 3:43:53 PM PST by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: PsyOp
When orders are consistently trustworthy and observed, the relationship of a commander with his troops is satisfactory.

I can't find this saying, or a similar one, in the Giles/Clavell edition. Is it there? If so, which chapter? Thanks.

77 posted on 12/30/2005 8:24:01 PM PST by rudy45
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To: Squantos
"To: Lazamataz
"Mobility is better than fortification."
Unless you are proceeding through a kill zone.
74 posted on 12/30/2005 3:22:42 PM PST by verity (The MSM is a National disgrace.)

Did I commit a breech of etiquette, i.e., piss on his corn flakes?

78 posted on 12/31/2005 5:50:36 AM PST by verity (The MSM is a National disgrace.)
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To: PsyOp
Nothing on what to do about spy's in your midst?
79 posted on 12/31/2005 5:52:54 AM PST by mware (everyone that doesn't like what America and President Bush has done for Iraq can all go to HELL.")
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To: verity
"Mobility is better than fortification."

Unless you are proceeding through a kill zone.

But is mobility better than fornication?

80 posted on 01/03/2006 6:47:36 AM PST by Lazamataz (I have a Chinese family renting an apartment from me. They are lo mein tenants.)
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