Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese Quotes

“It may sometimes be better to deliberately display weakness, to confuse the enemy and make the latter abandon the attack for fear of trickery. In a situation where the enemy is strong and you are weak, proper use of this strategy can appear extraordinary.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“With regards to a strong enemy, one should aim to control its general. Against an intelligent enemy general, one should plot to dampen his morale and will to fight. Once the general’s fighting spirit is quenched, the army will be weakened. Therefore, one should try to hit the enemy at its weakest point while conserving one's energy.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“Pretend to expose one's weakness to lure the enemy into one's trap. When the enemy is within your control, cut off the supply routes, and eventually destroy him. Do not go for the small advantage, when one can go for the kill, as it may result in one's destruction.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“It is better for one to pretend that he knows nothing, and take no action, rather than pretending to know everything, and rush into a situation. One should prepare his forces in the dark and not let others know of his secret, waiting for an opportunity to strike, just as lightning and thunder wait to strike in winter.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“A stronger force can use warning or admonishment to control a weaker force. A suitable display of power will receive support and the use of a decisive method will demand reverence. It is not necessary to destroy the smaller force when one is much stronger.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“Find a chance to change the enemy's battle formation frequently, and try to take away its main source of power. Wait until it is unable to cope with the situation before attacking it. This is similar to taking control of the wheels of a wagon; one can then control the direction of the wagon as well.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“A smaller state situated between an enemy and oneself should be given immediate support when the enemy threatens to attack it. In this way, one will earn the trust of the smaller state, and may eventually exert one's influence on it. Words without action will not win the trust of the small state in a precarious situation.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“Sometimes, it is more beneficial to attack a nearby enemy than a distant one because of geographic constraints. So it is advisable to form an alliance with a distant enemy to destroy the nearby one.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“When the enemy is in a state of confusion, one should take advantage, and gain control when he is weak and without proper direction. The best way to control the enemy is to let nature takes its course, as all men have to eat and rest.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“If the enemy's power base is destroyed, and his leaders captured, then the whole organization would be disintegrated. Just like a sea dragon having to fight on land, it will face severe difficulties.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“If you force your enemy into a desperate situation, he will fight with all he has. If you give your enemy an escape route, he will focus on escaping rather than fighting. When he is escaping, try to follow him, but not force him to attack. While escaping, it reduces his strength and fighting spirit. Once they are tired and have low morale, you can capture them easily without too much bloodshed.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“Wait for the natural conditions to be unfavorable to your enemy; use deception to lure the enemy to attack you, since attacking him would be dangerous.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“A person that is capable would not ask for help. A person who is incapable would ask for help. By using those who are incapable, I am able to control people and not be controlled by people.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“If something looks suspicious, seek to find out the truth. Take action only when the truth has been found. Only by analyzing your enemy carefully, can you find the critical point in their strategy.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“Try to take advantage of the enemy's weaknesses where possible, no matter how small they are. Use their weaknesses to achieve minor victories.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“When the situation has come to a point where sacrifices have to be made, sacrifice a battle to achieve victory in war.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“Show a friendly stance to the enemy, so that they will let down their guard against you. Meanwhile, prepare yourself for battle and take extreme care not to let your enemy know your true intention.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“When the enemy has internal disputes, and is agitated, we should monitor their movements. When the dispute has aggravated to the point where they are infighting, we should use the opportunity to deal a heavy blow.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“Intentionally expose movements, so as to lure the enemy to defend certain positions. Then make a detour to the rear of the enemy and attack, taking him by surprise.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“Using a small deception to deceive the enemy; this deception would then grow bigger and eventually becomes a fact.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“By feigning in one direction and attacking in another, the enemy will be in chaos and will have no idea what might happen next. This is similar to the Cui sign in the Book of Changes. One should seize the opportunity to attack the enemy when he is thus unprepared.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“When the enemy is in a difficult situation, one must seize the opportunity to attack, and use the momentum to obtain victory.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“Put the enemy in difficult situations; avoid a direct attack in the initial stage. Reduce the advantages of your enemy; turn him from strong to weak”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“When the enemy has been identified, and the intentions of one’s allies are unclear, it is advisable to use the allies to attack the enemy. This will establish the loyalty of the allies and fight off the enemy without incurring any costs.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“To defeat a stronger enemy, one should try to make the enemy spread out his forces and then attack each of the small units separately. Instead of making a direct attack into the enemy’s strength, one should attack in places like the rear, where the defenses are weaker.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“We tend not to be suspicious of familiar things that we see often. Therefore secrets should be made to look like familiar things and not like something that is incompatible with the obvious. In this way, the obvious can be used as a vessel in which to hide secrets.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“The Upper Strategy establishes the forms of propriety and rewards, discriminates between the evildoers and the valiant, and makes clear what is success and defeat. The Middle Strategy marks out the differences in virtue and
behavior and manifest changes in the balance of power. The Lower Strategy arrays virtue and morals, looks into security and danger, and makes clear the calamity of harming the capable.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“He also keeps taxes and impositions to a minimum, not exhausting the wealth of the people. If a ruler imposes few labor services and does not cause the people to be over-labored, the state will be prosperous and families will enjoy happiness.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“Allow others to become the warlords, while you yourself become the emperor.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“If the ruler can be soft and hard, the future of his state will be increasingly bright. If the ruler can be weak and strong, his state will be increasingly prosperous. If purely soft and weak, his state will inevitably decline. If purely hard and strong, his state will inevitably be destroyed.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings