Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate.

微乎微乎，至於無形；神乎神乎，至於無聲；故能為敵之司命。

Sun Tzu

The Art of War

Buy The Art of War at Amazon Buy The Art of War at Amazon
Read The Art of War at marxists.org

More information about this quote

Topic

Military strategy

Author

Sun Tzu

Source

The Art of War

Medium

Treatise

Genre

Military treatise

Language

Chinese

Time

490 BC 490s BC 5th century BC

Occupation

General Philosopher Writer

From

China Asia

Authentication Score 1

Original Citation

Sun Tzu. 孫子兵法 [The Art of War]. c. 475 BC, ch. 6.

Current Citation

Sun Tzu. The Art of War: The Essential Translation of the Classic Book of Life, translated by John Minford. Penguin Classics, 2009, ch. 6.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Sun Tzu about military strategy: “Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely…”
Download
A quote by Sun Tzu about military strategy: “Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely…”
Download
A quote by Sun Tzu about military strategy: “Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely…”
Download

Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 5th century BC

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

David

1st Chronicles 16:34

Buy the Bible (KJV) at Amazon Buy the Bible (KJV) at Amazon
Read this verse at Bible Hub
More information about this quote
Topic
Gratitude to God Gratitude
Speaker
David
Source
1st Chronicles The Bible
Medium
Scripture
Genre
Religious literature
Statement Type
Orders and commands
Language
Hebrew
Time
430 BC 430s BC 5th century BC
Era
Classical antiquity
Authentication Score 3
Citation

The Holy Bible: The King James Version. 1611. (1st Chronicles 16:34).

Another quote originally in Chinese

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Lao Tzu

Tao Te Ching

Buy the Tao Te Ching at Amazon Buy the Tao Te Ching at Amazon
Read the Tao Te Ching at MIT's classics department website
More information about this quote
Topic
Patience Persistence One step at a time

Author

Lao Tzu
Source
Tao Te Ching
Genre
Philosophical literature Religious literature
Statement Type
Metaphor, analogy and simile
Language
Chinese
Time
400 BC 400s BC 5th century BC
Authentication Score 0
Original Citation

Laozi [Lao Tzu]. 道德經 [Tao Te Ching]. c. 400 BC, ch. 64.

Current Citation

Laozi [Lao Tzu]. "The Natural Way of Lao Tzu." A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy, translated by Wing-Tsit Chan. Princeton University Press, 1969, ch. 64.