Sun Tzu Quotes About Water
-
Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards... Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.
→ -
Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.
→ -
So a military force has no constant formation, water has no constant shape: the ability to gain victory by changing and adapting according to the opponent is called genius.
→ -
As water has no constant form, there are in war no constant conditions.
→ -
As water shapes its flow in accordance with the ground, so an army manages its victory in accordance with the situation of the enemy.
→ -
An army may be likened to water, for just as flowing water avoids the heights and hastens to the lowlands, so an army avoids strength and strikes weakness.
→ -
The military has no constant form, just as water has no constant shape - adapt as you face the enemy, without letting them know beforehand what you are going to do.
→ -
If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst.
→ -
So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak. Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.
→ -
When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum. When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing.
→ -
Spies are a most important element in water, because on them depends an army's ability to move.
→
Related Authors
-
Laozi Philosopher -
Mencius Philosopher -
Benjamin Franklin Founding Father of the United States -
Miyamoto Musashi Author -
Zhuge Liang Inventor -
John Keegan Historian -
Carl von Clausewitz Military Historian -
Marcus Aurelius Roman emperor -
Han Fei Philosopher -
Sima Qian Historian -
Sun Bin Author -
Mao Zedong Former Chairman of the Communist Party of China -
Niccolo Machiavelli Historian -
Zhuangzi Philosopher -
Antoine-Henri Jomini Writer -
Confucius Philosopher -
Qin Shi Huang King -
-
Cao Cao Warlord -
Xunzi Philosopher