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Quotes about war and peace

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He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War, Chapter III · Strategic Attack
- Enemies
Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War, Chapter XIII · Intelligence and Espionage
In war, numbers alone confer no advantage. Do not advance relying on sheer military power.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War, Chapter IX · Movement and Development of Troops
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War, Chapter IV · Disposition of the Army, Paragraph 4
- Success
Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent’s fate.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War, Chapter VI · Weaknesses and Strengths
- Enemies
What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War, Ch. IV (tr. Lionel Giles)In context
Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War, Chapter XIII · Intelligence and Espionage
- Knowledge
All warfare is based on deception.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War (5th century BC), Chapter IIn context
- Truth & Lies
If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War (5th century BC), Chapter IIn context
- Pride
There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War (5th century BC), Chapter IIIn context
In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War (5th century BC), Chapter IIIn context
- Motivation & Goals
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War (5th century BC), Chapter IIIIn context
- Enemies
- Knowledge
The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War (5th century BC), Chapter IVIn context
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War (5th century BC), Chapter IVIn context
- Enemies
O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible; and hence we can hold the enemy’s fate in our hands.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War (5th century BC), Chapter VIIn context