Sun Tzu Order Quotations

It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order.

When orders are consistently trustworthy and observed, the relationship of a commander with his troops is satisfactory.

In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.

Apparent confusion is a product of good order; apparent cowardice, of courage; apparent weakness, of strength.

If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.

Hiding order beneath the cloak of disorder is simply a question of subdivision; concealing courage under a show of timidity presupposes a fund of latent energy; masking strength with weakness is to be effected by tactical dispositions.

The art of giving orders is not to try to rectify the minor blunders and not be swayed by petty doubts.

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.

Order or disorder depends on organisation; courage or cowardice on circumstances; strength or weakness on dispositions.

The line between disorder and order lies in logistics...