Sun Tzu reportedly wrote “The Art of War” in the 6th century B.C. I say reportedly as there are some who suggest he might have been a mythical character. Real or not real, the wisdom is as widely read today by military strategists as it was then. Even Caesar studied it!
The article below lists 75 of famous quotes from the book:
How to Use Wisdom to 'Know Your Enemy'—Here Are the 75 Best Sun Tzu Quotes
Given the war drums beating around the world, particularly as it relates to Russia, I thought I would revisit Sun Tzu’s maxims. A few standout.
1. "He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight."
2. "Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”
3. “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.”
4. "The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”
5. “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
I am certain that President Putin has studied Sun Tzu in depth. I am betting that he will not take the bait. Why fight when your enemy is self-destructing?