Shawn Conners > Quotes

“Fishing is similar to enlisting talent. There are three baits that will attract talent: generous salaries, concern for life and death, and opportunity for recognition.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“When the fishing line and bait are small, only small fish will be caught. When the line and bait are of medium size, medium size fish will be caught. When the line is strong and the bait generous, large fish will be caught. When men accept salaries from the ruler, they will submit to him. When a ruler provides adequate rewards, men will perform to the limit of their capabilities for him. If a ruler treats the families as the foundation of the state, the state will be his. If a ruler uses the state as the base to conquer the kingdom, the kingdom will be his.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“What ought to be done is neglected, what ought not to be done is done; the desires of unruly, thoughtless people are always increasing.”
― Shawn Conners, Zen Buddhism: The Path to Enlightenment

“It may sometimes be better to deliberately display weakness, to confuse the enemy and make the latter abandon the attack for fear of trickery. In a situation where the enemy is strong and you are weak, proper use of this strategy can appear extraordinary.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“He must recognize that those who have courage and strength should be assembled into a unit. Those who take pleasure in advancing into battle and exerting their strength, so as to manifest their loyalty and courage, should be assembled into another unit. Those who are nimble and fleet should be assembled into another unit. Officials who have lost their positions and are eager to make amends should be assembled into another unit. Those who have lost in war and want to eradicate their disgrace should be assembled into a unit. These five units will be the elite troops. With a contingent of a thousand of such men, one can then break any encirclement or breach the walls of any city.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“When the enemy is in a state of confusion, one should take advantage, and gain control when he is weak and without proper direction. The best way to control the enemy is to let nature takes its course, as all men have to eat and rest.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“If you force your enemy into a desperate situation, he will fight with all he has. If you give your enemy an escape route, he will focus on escaping rather than fighting. When he is escaping, try to follow him, but not force him to attack. While escaping, it reduces his strength and fighting spirit. Once they are tired and have low morale, you can capture them easily without too much bloodshed.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“When the enemy has been identified, and the intentions of one’s allies are unclear, it is advisable to use the allies to attack the enemy. This will establish the loyalty of the allies and fight off the enemy without incurring any costs.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“What we refer to as the five important characteristics are courage, wisdom, benevolence, trustworthiness and loyalty. If he is courageous, he cannot be overwhelmed. If he is wise, he cannot be forced into turmoil. If he is benevolent, he will love his men. If he is trustworthy, he will not be deceitful. If he is loyal, he will always have the interest of the state.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“He also keeps taxes and impositions to a minimum, not exhausting the wealth of the people. If a ruler imposes few labor services and does not cause the people to be over-labored, the state will be prosperous and families will enjoy happiness.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“If the enemy's power base is destroyed, and his leaders captured, then the whole organization would be disintegrated. Just like a sea dragon having to fight on land, it will face severe difficulties.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“When you kill the powerful and the honored, it shows that punishment is not limited to only the low ranking. When rewards extend down to the cowherds, grooms, and stablemen, it shows that rewards are not limited to only the high ranking.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“Using a small deception to deceive the enemy; this deception would then grow bigger and eventually becomes a fact.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“It is better for one to pretend that he knows nothing, and take no action, rather than pretending to know everything, and rush into a situation. One should prepare his forces in the dark and not let others know of his secret, waiting for an opportunity to strike, just as lightning and thunder wait to strike in winter.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“By feigning in one direction and attacking in another, the enemy will be in chaos and will have no idea what might happen next. This is similar to the Cui sign in the Book of Changes. One should seize the opportunity to attack the enemy when he is thus unprepared.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“The first is benevolence, the second is righteousness, the third is loyalty, the fourth is trustworthiness, the fifth is courage, the sixth is strategizing. These are the six characteristics to consider when selecting capable men.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“There are eight forms of tests by which you may know it. First, question them and observe the details of their reply. Second, verbally confound and perplex them and observe how they react. Third, send a spy out to test their loyalty. Fourth, clearly and explicitly question with what you already know to see their character. Fifth, appoint to positions of financial responsibility to observe their honesty. Sixth, test them with beautiful women to observe their uprightness and character. Seventh, confront them with difficulties to observe their courage. Eighth, get them drunk to observe their conduct.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“For this reason, if one must kill men to give peace to the people, then killing is permissible. If one must attack a state out of love for their people, then attacking it is permissible. If one must stop war with war, although it is war, it is permissible.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“Whatever a hater may do to a hater, or an enemy to an enemy, a wrongly-directed mind will do us greater mischief.”
― Shawn Conners, Zen Buddhism: The Path to Enlightenment

“Use their fear to warn them, use their desire to control them.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“The soldiers who are committed to fighting to the death will live; whereas those who seek to stay alive will die.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“When the situation has come to a point where sacrifices have to be made, sacrifice a battle to achieve victory in war.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“A person that is capable would not ask for help. A person who is incapable would ask for help. By using those who are incapable, I am able to control people and not be controlled by people.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“Find a chance to change the enemy's battle formation frequently, and try to take away its main source of power. Wait until it is unable to cope with the situation before attacking it. This is similar to taking control of the wheels of a wagon; one can then control the direction of the wagon as well.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“Try to take advantage of the enemy's weaknesses where possible, no matter how small they are. Use their weaknesses to achieve minor victories.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“Intentionally expose movements, so as to lure the enemy to defend certain positions. Then make a detour to the rear of the enemy and attack, taking him by surprise.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“To defeat a stronger enemy, one should try to make the enemy spread out his forces and then attack each of the small units separately. Instead of making a direct attack into the enemy’s strength, one should attack in places like the rear, where the defenses are weaker.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“Put the enemy in difficult situations; avoid a direct attack in the initial stage. Reduce the advantages of your enemy; turn him from strong to weak”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“A smaller state situated between an enemy and oneself should be given immediate support when the enemy threatens to attack it. In this way, one will earn the trust of the smaller state, and may eventually exert one's influence on it. Words without action will not win the trust of the small state in a precarious situation.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings

“During war, strategic attack is the best way to achieve victory. Next is physical attack.”
― Shawn Conners, Military Strategy Classics of Ancient China - English & Chinese: The Art of War, Methods of War, 36 Stratagems & Selected Teachings