War & Conflict Sayings

58 sayings found from the Ancient era from 16 authors

The best fighter is never angry.

— Laozi 6th century BCE (approx)
War & Conflict

The more prohibitions there are, the poorer the people become. The more sharp weapons the people have, the more troubled the state becomes. The more cunning and skill man possesses, the more peculiar things appear. The more laws are promulgated, the …

— Laozi c. 6th-4th century BCE
War & Conflict

Conquer anger by forgiveness, pride by humility, deceit by straightforwardness, and greed by contentment.

— Mahavira circa 5th-6th century BCE
War & Conflict

The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.

— Marcus Aurelius c. 161-180 AD
War & Conflict

Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.

— Marcus Aurelius c. 161-180 AD
War & Conflict

One who is benevolent has no enemy.

— Mencius c. 4th-3rd century BCE
War & Conflict

For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?

— Saint Paul c. 53-57 CE
War & Conflict

To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others.

— Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) c. 5th century BCE
War & Conflict

Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts.

— Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) c. 5th century BCE
War & Conflict

Conquer anger with non-anger. Conquer badness with goodness. Conquer meanness with generosity. Conquer dishonesty with truth.

— Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) c. 5th century BCE
War & Conflict

When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

— Sun Tzu c. 5th century BC
War & Conflict

He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious.

— Sun Tzu c. 5th century BC
War & Conflict

Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.

— Sun Tzu c. 5th century BC
War & Conflict

The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.

— Sun Tzu c. 5th century BC
War & Conflict

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

— Sun Tzu c. 5th century BC
War & Conflict

To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

— Sun Tzu c. 5th century BC
War & Conflict

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.

— Sun Tzu c. 5th century BC
War & Conflict

Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.

— Sun Tzu c. 5th century BC
War & Conflict

The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.

— Sun Tzu c. 5th century BC
War & Conflict

He who wishes to fight must first count the cost.

— Sun Tzu c. 5th century BC
War & Conflict
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