Robert Greene Archive

Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.

By discovering the enemy's dispositions and remaining invisible ourselves, we can keep our forces concentrated, while the enemy's must be divided.

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

“It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver.” — Machiavelli

“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them.

"All warfare is based on deception." - The Art of War

The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known.

SUN TZU: "Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak."

And if we are able thus to attack an inferior force with a superior one, our opponents will be in dire straits.

Sun Tzu and Robert Greene understood that pressure reveals what comfort conceals. A person's true character emerges when circumstances turn against them.

I was reading The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene, and this law immediately reminded me of Sun Tzu. Both understood that victory begins long before the battle.

Sun Tzu teaches that true strategic mastery lies in knowing when to move swiftly, when to remain still, and when to strike with overwhelming force.

He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.

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