Sun Tzu Quotes: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Strategy
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.
The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.
Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.
The wise warrior avoids the battle.
Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.
In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
A leader leads by example, not by force.
Know yourself and you will win all battles.
Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.
In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment that which they cannot anticipate.
All warfare is based on deception.
If you know yourself and your enemy, you will win all battles.
The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.
The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.
The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.
The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.
Great results, can be achieved with small forces.
Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm.
Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.
When one treats people with benevolence, justice, and righteousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders.
Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.
There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.
To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline, simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war.
The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.
Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.
There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.
The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.
Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.
To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.