Art Of War Quotes - Page 15

• A prince... must learn from the fox and the lion... One must be a fox in order to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten off wolves. Those who act simply as lions are stupid. So it follows that a prudent ruler cannot, and must not, honour his word when it places him at a disadvantage and when the reasons for which he made his promise no longer exist.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Art, War, Stupid

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• When settling disputes between his subjects, he should ensure that his judgement is irrevocable; and he should be so regarded that no one ever dreams of trying to deceive or trick him.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Dream, Art, War

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• If not in the interests of the state, do not act. If you cannot succeed, do not use troops. If you are not in danger, do not fight.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, War, Fighting

  Sun-tzu, Gerald A Michaelson (2001). “Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Managers; 50 Strategic Rules”, p.144, Simon and Schuster

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• Factors in the art of warfare are: First, calculations; second, quantities; third, logistics; fourth, the balance of power; and fifth, the possibility of victory is based on the balance of power.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, Victory, Balance

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• It may safely be asserted that the art of war will soon be reduced to a simple question of expenditure and credit, and that the largest purse will be the strongest arm.

  William Winwood Reade

  Art, War, Simple

  William Winwood Reade (1874). “The Martyrdom of Man”, p.38

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• The General who in advancing does not seek personal fame, and in withdrawing is not concerned with avoiding punishment, but whose only purpose is to protect the people and promote the best interests of his sovereign, is the precious jewel of the state.

  Sun Tzu

  Art, War, Punishment

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• Firebugs dragging their gasoline bottles are approaching the Academy of Arts, with a grin. And so, instead of embracing them, let us demand the freedom of the elbow to knock the bottles out of their filthy hands. Even the most blockheaded bureaucrat, provided he loves peace, is a greater lover of the arts than any so-called art-lover who loves the arts of war.

  Bertolt Brecht

  Art, War, Hands

  "Brecht on Brecht: An Improvisation". Book by George Tabori, 1967.

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• The art of war is at once comprehensive and complicated; ... it demands much previous study; and ... the possession of it, in its most improved and perfect state, is always a great moment to the security of a nation. This, therefore, ought to be a serious care of every government; and for this purpose, an academy, where a regular course of instruction is given, is an obvious expedient, which different nations have successfully employed.

  George Washington

  Art, War, Government

  United States. President, George Washington, United States (1825). “The speeches, addresses and messages, of the several presidents of the United States, at the openings of Congress and at their respective inaugurations: Also, the Declaration of independence, the Constitution of the United States, and Washington's farewell address to his fellow-citizens”, p.91

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• In a state of tranquility, wealth, and luxury, our descendants would forget the arts of war and the noble activity and zeal which made their ancestors invincible. Every art of corruption would be employed to loosen the bond of union which renders our resistance formidable. When the spirit of liberty which now animates our hearts and gives success to our arms is extinct, our numbers will accelerate our ruin and render us easier victims to tyranny.

  Samuel Adams

  Art, War, Luxury

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• Could the peaceable principle of the Quakers be universally established, arms and the art of war would be wholly extirpated: But we live not in a world of angels...I am thus far a Quaker, that I would gladly agree with all the world to lay aside the use of arms, and settle matters by negotiation: but unless the whole will, the matter ends, and I take up my musket and thank Heaven He has put it in my power.

  Thomas Paine

  Art, War, Angel

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• I then discovered the Pop Art of Warhol, Lichtenstein, and Peter Max. I was inspired that these fun and colourful images could be presented seriously on canvas.

  Joe Average

  Art, Fun, Max

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• Read over and over again the campaigns of Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar, Gustavus, Turenne, Eugene and Frederic. ... This is the only way to become a great general and master the secrets of the art of war.

  Napoleon Bonaparte

  Art, Military, War

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• Any army which does not train to use all the weapons, all the means and methods of warfare that the enemy possesses, or may possess, is behaving in an unwise or even criminal manner. This applies to politics even more than it does to the art of war.

  Vladimir Lenin

  Art, War, Mean

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• Surprise becomes effective when we suddenly face the enemy at one point with far more troops than he expected. This type of numerical superiority is quite distinct from numerical superiority in general: it is the most powerful medium in the art of war.

  Carl von Clausewitz

  Art, Powerful, War

  Carl von Clausewitz (2008). “On War”, p.360, Princeton University Press

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• Men never do good unless necessity drives them to it; but when they are free to choose and can do just as they please, confusion and disorder become rampant.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Men, Confusion, Disorder

  "Discourses on Livy" by Niccolò Machiavelli, book 1, ch. 3, as translated by LJ Walker and B Crick, 1517.

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• The greatest remedy that is used against a plan of the enemy is to do voluntarily what he plans that you do by force.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Art, War, Enemy

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• In the armies and among every ten men there is one of more life, of more heart, or at least of more authority, who with his courage, with words and by example keeps the others firm and disposed to fight.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Art, War, Fighting

  "The Complete Art of War".

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• An enlightened ruler doesnot worry about people not knowing him; he worriesabout not knowing people.

  Zhuge Liang

  Leadership, Art, War

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• In war, discipline can do more than fury.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Art, War, Discipline

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• The art of war is to gain time when your strength is inferior.

  Napoleon Bonaparte

  Art, War, Gains

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• If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.

  Sun Tzu

  War, Believe, Enemy

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• Princes should delegate to others the enactment of unpopular measures and keep in their own hands the means of winning favours.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Art, War, Mean

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• As all those have shown who have discussed civil institutions, and as every history is full of examples, it is necessary to whoever arranges to found a Republic and establish laws in it, to presuppose that all men are bad and that they will use their malignity of mind every time they have the opportunity.

  Niccolo Machiavelli

  Art, War, Opportunity

  "Discourses on Livy" by Niccolò Machiavelli, book 1, ch. 3, 1517.

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• 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

  War, Army, Punishment

  Sun Tzu, Shang Yang (1997). “The Art of War”, p.41, Wordsworth Editions

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• We believe in the art of war. We are trying to get our competition to attack us with angry, virulent energy, so we can transform that into larger market share.

  Marc Benioff

  Art, War, Believe

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