Sun Tzu: General

Sun Tzu was ancient Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher from the Zhou Dynasty. Explore interesting quotes on general.

Sun Tzu: 136 quotes334 likes

“If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders are clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers.”

Sun Tzu book The Art of War

(zh-TW) 將弱不嚴，敎道不明，將之過也。
The Art of War, Chapter X · Terrain

“If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame.”

Sun Tzu book The Art of War

The Art of War, Chapter X · Terrain
Context: If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders are clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers.

“The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.”

Sun Tzu

Source: The Art of War, Chapter X · Terrain

“Too frequent rewards indicate that the general is at the end of his resources; too frequent punishments that he is in acute distress.”

Sun Tzu

Source: The Art of War, Chapter IX · Movement and Development of Troops

“The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.”

Sun Tzu

Source: The Art of War, Chapter I · Detail Assessment and Planning

“Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical. No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life. Hence the enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution. This is the way to keep a country at peace and an army intact.”

Sun Tzu

Translation by Lionel Giles
Source: The Art of War, Chapter XII · Attacking with Fire