Sun Tzu - The wittiest aphorisms and quotes. Art of War
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Sun Tzu
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.
Form
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.
Therefore, they know how to preserve themselves and at the same time achieve complete victory.
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.
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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.
Phrases - Sun Tzu
Sayings, phrases and quotes from Sun Tzu.
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.
Victorious warriors first win and only then enter into battle; those that are defeated first enter into battle and only then try to win.
He who correctly points out my mistakes is my teacher; he who rightly notes my faithful faults is my friend; he who flatters me is my enemy.
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.
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.
The teaching reaches its limit in action.
First, be like an innocent girl - and the enemy will open his door. Then be like an escaped hare - and the enemy will not have time to take measures to defend himself.
War is the 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. “Initial calculations”
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 a fortress.
The willingness to sacrifice oneself to fulfill one's duty is the basis for maintaining life.
The great phrase of Sun Tzu - the Ruler can be compared to a boat, and the people to water: water can carry a boat, or it can capsize it.
A person’s bad qualities and actions depend on himself.
Invincibility lies in oneself, the possibility of victory lies in the enemy. 不可勝在己，可勝在敵 - “Combat uniform”
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. “Use of spies”
Heaven does not give birth to commoners for a ruler, it enthrones a ruler for commoners.
Being busy is something people hate; merit and power are what they love.
When a person has a lot of free time, he will achieve little.
When soldiers are in mortal danger, they fear nothing; when they have no way out, they hold on tight; when they go deep into enemy land, nothing holds them back; when nothing can be done, they fight. “Nine Localities”
When a perfect person has great knowledge and also checks himself daily and analyzes his behavior, then he is wise and does not make mistakes.
Music is the source of joy for wise people, it is capable of evoking good thoughts among the people, it penetrates deeply into their consciousness and easily changes morals and customs.
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.
There is no need to destroy the enemy; it is enough to deprive him of the resolve to enter into battle.
If you don't know what your children are like, look at their friends.
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.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
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 a fortress. “Planning an attack”
War loves victory and does not like duration. 故兵貴勝，不貴久。— “Waging War”
First, be like an innocent girl - and the enemy will open his door. Then be like an escaped hare - and the enemy will not have time to take measures to defend himself. “Nine Localities”
War is the 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.
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. “Planning an attack”
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. “Initial calculations”
He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot fight will be the winner. “Planning an attack”
Levying exorbitant taxes is a path that causes robbery, enriching the enemy, leading to the death of the state.
Managing many is the same as managing few. It's a matter of organization. 凡治眾如治寡，分數是也。—“Strategic power”
Trouble comes when people, in their laziness, forget to take care of themselves.
Phrases, sayings and quotes Sun Tzu is a Chinese strategist and thinker.
