Sun Tzu Quotes

We have collected and put the best Sun Tzu quotes in the following categories. Enjoy reading these insights and feel free to share this page on your social media to inspire others.

May these Sun Tzu quotes on many subjects inspire you to never give up and keep working towards your goals. Who knows—success could be just around the corner.

Sun Tzu (孫子Sunzi) was a Chinese general, military strategist, writer, and philosopher who lived in the Eastern Zhou period of ancient China. Sun Tzu is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, an influential work of military strategy that has affected Western and East Asian philosophy and military thinking. His works focus much more on alternatives to battle, such as stratagem, delay, the use of spies and alternatives to war itself, the making and keeping of alliances, the uses of deceit and a willingness to submit, at least temporarily, to more powerful foes. Sun Tzu is revered in Chinese and East Asian culture as a legendary historical and military figure. His birth name was Sun Wu and he was known outside of his family by his courtesy name Changqing. The name Sun Tzu by which he is best known in the Western World is an honorific which means “Master Sun”.

風 Swift as the wind
林 Quiet as the forest
火 Conquer like the fire
山 Steady as the mountain. – Sun Tzu Quote

Short And Famous Sun Tzu Quotes

A battle avoided cannot be lost. – Sun Tzu Quote

A leader leads by example not by force. – Sun Tzu Quote

All battles are won before they start. – Sun Tzu Quote

All war is based on deception. – Sun Tzu Quote

All war is deception. – Sun Tzu Quote

All wars are won or lost before they are ever fought. – Sun Tzu Quote

Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain. – Sun Tzu Quote

Attack the enemy’s strategy. – Sun Tzu Quote

Be where your enemy is not. – Sun Tzu Quote

Do not press an enemy at bay. – Sun Tzu Quote

Every battle is won before it is fought. – Sun Tzu Quote

He who wishes to fight must first count the cost. – Sun Tzu Quote

If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight. – Sun Tzu Quote

If quick, I survive. If not quick, I am lost. This is death. – Sun Tzu Quote

If the enemy opens the door, you must race in. – Sun Tzu Quote

If your enemy is superior, evade him. – Sun Tzu Quote

If your opponent is of choleric temper, irritate him. – Sun Tzu Quote

In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity. – Sun Tzu Quote

In war, practice dissimulation and you will succeed. – Sun Tzu Quote

It is not a victory unless you say ‘Jumanji’. – Sun Tzu Quote

Keep your fiends close and your enemies even closer. – Sun Tzu Quote

Kill one, terrify a thousand. – Sun Tzu Quote

Know the enemy and know yourself. – Sun Tzu Quote

Know thy self, know thy enemy. – Sun Tzu Quote

Know yourself and you will win all battles. – Sun Tzu Quote

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night. – Sun Tzu Quote

No nation has ever benefited from a prolonged war. – Sun Tzu Quote

O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! – Sun Tzu Quote

Opportunities increase as they are taken. – Sun Tzu Quote

Ponder and deliberate before you make a move. – Sun Tzu Quote

Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance. – Sun Tzu Quote

Quickness is the essence of the war. – Sun Tzu Quote

Rapidity is the essence of war. – Sun Tzu Quote

So it is said that victory can be made. – Sun Tzu Quote

Sweat more during peace: bleed less during war. – Sun Tzu Quote

The Art of War is self-explanatory. – Sun Tzu Quote

The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution. – Sun Tzu Quote

The greatest victory is that which requires no battle. – Sun Tzu Quote

The height of strategy, is to attack your opponent’s strategy. – Sun Tzu Quote

The line between disorder and order lies in logistics. – Sun Tzu Quote

The natural formation of the country is the soldier’s best ally. – Sun Tzu Quote

The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands. – Sun Tzu Quote

The skillful leader subdues the enemy’s troops without any fighting. – Sun Tzu Quote

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. – Sun Tzu Quote

The Wheels of Justice turn slowly but exceedingly fine. – Sun Tzu Quote

There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare. – Sun Tzu Quote

There is no place where espionage is not possible. – Sun Tzu Quote

To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape. – Sun Tzu Quote

To capture an enemies army is better than to destroy it. – Sun Tzu Quote

To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy. – Sun Tzu Quote

Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems. – Sun Tzu Quote

Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price. – Sun Tzu Quote

Victory is the main object in war. – Sun Tzu Quote

War is a matter of vital importance to the state. – Sun Tzu Quote

Weigh the situation, then move. – Sun Tzu Quote

Wheels of justice grind slow but grind fine. – Sun Tzu Quote

When he pretends to flee, do not pursue. – Sun Tzu Quote

Sun Tzu Quotes

Sun Tzu Quotes on Different Subjects

A clever general… avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods. Disciplined and calm, he awaits the appearance of disorder and hubbub among the enemy. This is the art of retaining self-possession. – Sun Tzu Quote

A good commander is benevolent and unconcerned with fame. – Sun Tzu Quote

A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life. – Sun Tzu Quote

A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective. – Sun Tzu Quote

A sovereign of high character and intelligence must be able to know the right man, should place the responsibility on him, and expect results. – Sun Tzu Quote

A warrior who is prepared to fight must also be prepared to die. – Sun Tzu Quote

A wise general makes a point of foraging of the enemy. – Sun Tzu Quote

According to my assessment, even if you have many more troops than others, how can that help you to victory? – Sun Tzu Quote

Act after having made assessments. The one who first knows the measure of far and near wins – this is the rule of armed struggle. – Sun Tzu Quote

Against those skilled in attack, an enemy does not know where to defend; against the experts in defense, the enemy does not know where to attack. – Sun Tzu Quote

Agitate him and ascertain the pattern of his movement. – Sun Tzu Quote

All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved. – Sun Tzu Quote

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. – Sun Tzu Quote

All warfare is based on deception. If your enemy is superior, evade him. If angry, irritate him. If equally matched, fight and if not: split and re-evaluate. – Sun Tzu Quote

All warfare is based on deception. There is no place where espionage is not used. Offer the enemy bait to lure him. – Sun Tzu Quote

All warfare is based on deception. Therefore, when capable, feign incapacity; when active, inactivity. When near, make it appear that you are far away; when far away, that you are to lure him; feign disorder and strike him. When he concentrates, prepare against him; where he is strong, avoid him. Anger his general and confuse him. Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance. – Sun Tzu Quote

Amid the turmoil and tumult of battle, there may be seeming disorder and yet no real disorder at all. – Sun Tzu Quote

An army may be likened to water, for just as flowing water avoids the heights and hastens to the lowlands, so an army avoids strength and strikes weakness. – Sun Tzu Quote

And regulation entails organizational effectiveness, a chain of command, and a structure for logistical support. – Sun Tzu Quote

And therefore only the enlightened sovereign and the worthy general who are able to use the most intelligent people as agents are certain to achieve great things. – Sun Tzu Quote

And therefore those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him. – Sun Tzu Quote

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

Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected. – Sun Tzu Quote

Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. – Sun Tzu Quote

Appraise war in terms of the fundamental factors. The first of these factors is moral influence. – Sun Tzu Quote

As water has no constant form, there are in war no constant conditions. – Sun Tzu Quote

As water shapes its flow in accordance with the ground, so an army manages its victory in accordance with the situation of the enemy. – Sun Tzu Quote

At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you. – Sun Tzu Quote

Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected. – Sun Tzu Quote

Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack. – Sun Tzu Quote

Attack where he is unprepared; sally forth when he does not expect you. – Sun Tzu Quote

Balk the enemy’s power; force him to reveal himself. – Sun Tzu Quote

Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent’s fate. – Sun Tzu Quote

Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business. – Sun Tzu Quote

Be the first to seize intersecting ground, that is ground which lies the intersections of borders or intersections of main thoroughfares of commerce and travel. Your occupation of it gives you access to all who border it and all who would covet it. On intersecting ground, if you establish alliances you are safe, if you lose alliances you are in peril. – Sun Tzu Quote

Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will. – Sun Tzu Quote

Being unconquerable lies with yourself; being conquerable lies with your enemy. – Sun Tzu Quote

Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man. – Sun Tzu Quote

Bestow rewards without respect to customary practice; publish orders without respect to precedent. Thus you may employ the entire army as you would one man. – Sun Tzu Quote

Birds rising in flight is a sign that the enemy is lying in ambush; when the wild animals are startled and flee he is trying to take you unaware. – Sun Tzu Quote

Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy… use the conquered foe to augment one’s own strength. – Sun Tzu Quote

Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across. – Sun Tzu Quote

By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, the skillful general keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. By shifting his camp and taking circuitous routes, he prevents the enemy from anticipating his purpose. At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him. – Sun Tzu Quote

Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient. – Sun Tzu Quote

Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans. – Sun Tzu Quote

Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. – Sun Tzu Quote

Confront them with annihilation, and they will then survive; plunge them into a deadly situation, and they will then live. When people fall into danger, they are then able to strive for victory. – Sun Tzu Quote

Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm. – Sun Tzu Quote

Correct your mistake as soon as you have found it. – Sun Tzu Quote

Do not engage an enemy more powerful than you. And if it is unavoidable and you do have to engage, then make sure you engage it on your terms, not on your enemy’s terms. – Sun Tzu Quote

Do not press an enemy at bay. Prince Fu Ch’ai said: “Wild beasts, when at bay, fight desperately. How much more is this true of men! If they know there is no alternative, they will fight to the death. – Sun Tzu Quote

Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home. – Sun Tzu Quote

Don’t flail against the world, use it. Flexibility is the operative principle in the art of war. – Sun Tzu Quote

Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger. – Sun Tzu Quote

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. – Sun Tzu Quote

Factors in the art of warfare are: First, calculations; second, quantities; third, logistics; fourth, the balance of power; and fifth, the possibility of victory is based on the balance of power. – Sun Tzu Quote

Fierce language and pretentious advances are signs that the enemy is about to retreat. – Sun Tzu Quote

Fighting with a large army under your command is nowise different from fighting with a small one: it is merely a question of instituting signs and signals. – Sun Tzu Quote

First learn to become invincible, then wait for your enemy’s moment of vulnerability. – Sun Tzu Quote

For the wise man delights in establishing his merit, the brave man likes to show his courage in action, the covetous man is quick at seizing advantages, and the stupid man has no fear of death. – Sun Tzu Quote

For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards. – Sun Tzu Quote

For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill. – Sun Tzu Quote

From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is prepared for your coming, and you fail to defeat him, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue. – Sun Tzu Quote

Generally in war the best policy is to take a state intact; to ruin it is inferior to this. – Sun Tzu Quote

Generally, management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization. And to control many is the same as to control few. This is a matter of formations and signals. – Sun Tzu Quote

Getting people to fight by letting the force of momentum work is like rolling logs and rocks. Logs and rocks are still when in a secure place, but roll on an incline; they remain stationary if square, they roll if round. Therefore, when people are skillfully led into battle, the momentum is like that of round rocks rolling down a high mountain — this is force. – Sun Tzu Quote

Go into emptiness, strike voids, bypass what he defends hit him where he does not expect you. – Sun Tzu Quote

Great results, can be achieved with small forces. – Sun Tzu Quote

Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling. – Sun Tzu Quote

Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible. – Sun Tzu Quote

He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance. – Sun Tzu Quote

He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them. – Sun Tzu Quote

He who is not sage and wise, humane and just, cannot use secret agents. And he who is not delicate and subtle cannot get the truth out of them. – Sun Tzu Quote

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

He who knows his enemy and himself well will not be defeated easily. – Sun Tzu Quote

He who knows things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated. – Sun Tzu Quote

He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious. – Sun Tzu Quote

He who relies solely on warlike measures shall be exterminated; he who relies solely on peaceful measures shall perish. – Sun Tzu Quote

He who wishes to fight must first count the cost. When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men’s weapons will grow dull and their ardor will be dampened. If you lay siege to a town, you will exhaust your strength. – Sun Tzu Quote

He whose ranks are united in purpose will be victorious. – Sun Tzu Quote

He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign. – Sun Tzu Quote

He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. – Sun Tzu Quote

He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. – Sun Tzu Quote

He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. – Sun Tzu Quote

He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. – Sun Tzu Quote

Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack. – Sun Tzu Quote

Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss. – Sun Tzu Quote

Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and you know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you now Heaven and you know Earth, you may make your victory complete. – Sun Tzu Quote

Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer without being able to do it. – Sun Tzu Quote

Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources. – Sun Tzu Quote

Hence 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 Quote

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. – Sun Tzu Quote

Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. – Sun Tzu Quote

Hostile armies may face each other for years, striving for the victory which is decided in a single day. This being so, to remain in ignorance of the enemy’s condition simply because one grudges the outlay of a hundred ounces of silver in honors and emoluments, is the height of inhumanity. – Sun Tzu Quote

However desperate the situation and circumstances, don’t despair. When there is everything to fear, be unafraid. When surrounded by dangers, fear none of them. When without resources, depend on resourcefulness. When surprised, take the enemy by surprise. – Sun Tzu Quote

Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is about to advance. Violent language and driving forward as if to the attack are signs that he will retreat. – Sun Tzu Quote

I will be able to forecast which side will be victorious and which defeated. – Sun Tzu Quote

If a battle can not be won do not fight it. – Sun Tzu Quote

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

If an enemy has alliances, the problem is grave and the enemy’s position strong; if he has no alliances, the problem is minor and the enemy’s position weak. – Sun Tzu Quote

If asked how to cope with a great host of the enemy in orderly array and on the point of marching to the attack, I should say: “Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.” Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy’s unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots. – Sun Tzu Quote

If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler’s bidding. – Sun Tzu Quote

If I am able to determine the enemy’s dispositions while at the same time I conceal my own, then I can concentrate and he must divide. – Sun Tzu Quote

If I determine the enemy’s disposition of forces while I have no perceptible form, I can concentrate my forces while the enemy is fragmented. The pinnacle of military deployment approaches the formless: if it is formless, then even the deepest spy cannot discern it nor the wise make plans against it. – Sun Tzu Quote

If I wish to engage, then the enemy, for all his high ramparts and deep moat, cannot avoid engagement; I attack that which he is obliged to rescue. – Sun Tzu Quote

If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril. – Sun Tzu Quote

If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are. – Sun Tzu Quote

If not in the interests of the state, do not act. If you cannot succeed, do not use troops. If you are not in danger, do not fight. – Sun Tzu Quote

If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity. – Sun Tzu Quote

If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless. – Sun Tzu Quote

If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away. – Sun Tzu Quote

If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in. – Sun Tzu Quote

If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things. – Sun Tzu Quote

If their forces are substantial, prepare for them; if their forces are strong, avoid them. – Sun Tzu Quote

If there is disturbance in the camp, the general’s authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary. – Sun Tzu Quote

If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed. – Sun Tzu Quote

If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst. – Sun Tzu Quote

If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely traced out on the ground. All we need to do is to throw something odd and unaccountable in his way. – Sun Tzu Quote

If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory. If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory. If we know that the enemy is open to attack, and also know that our men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the nature of the ground makes fighting impracticable, we have still gone only halfway towards victory. – Sun Tzu Quote

If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high rampart and a deep ditch. All we need do is attack some other place that he will be obliged to relieve. – Sun Tzu Quote

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. – Sun Tzu Quote

If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near. – Sun Tzu Quote

If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle, and fighting will be to your disadvantage. – Sun Tzu Quote

If you are strong, appear weak. But if you are weak, appear strong. – Sun Tzu Quote

If you fight with all your might, there is a chance of life; where as death is certain if you cling to your corner. – Sun Tzu Quote

If you follow the enemy’s shifts and changes, you can always find a way to win. – Sun Tzu Quote

If you know both yourself and your enemy, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss. – Sun Tzu Quote

If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle – Sun Tzu Quote

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle. – Sun Tzu Quote

If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete. – Sun Tzu Quote

If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. – Sun Tzu Quote

If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is tempermental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected. – Sun Tzu Quote

If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. – Sun Tzu Quote

If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose. – Sun Tzu Quote

In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in his turn; then, when part of his army has come out, we may deliver our attack with advantage. – Sun Tzu Quote

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

In all history, there is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare. Only one who knows the disastrous effects of a long war can realize the supreme importance of rapidity in bringing it to a close. – Sun Tzu Quote

In conflict, straightforward actions generally lead to engagement, surprising actions generally lead to victory. – Sun Tzu Quote

In desperate position, you must fight. – Sun Tzu Quote

In executing an Artful Strategy: When ten times greater, surround them; When five times greater, attack them; When two times greater, scatter them. If the opponent is ready to challenge: When fewer in number, be ready to evade them; When unequal to the match, be ready to avoid them. Even when the smaller opponents have a strong position, the larger opponent will capture them. – Sun Tzu Quote

In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain is to conceal them. – Sun Tzu Quote

In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected. – Sun Tzu Quote

In the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune. – Sun Tzu Quote

In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy’s country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. – Sun Tzu Quote

In the tumult and uproar, the battle seems chaotic, but there is no disorder, the troops appear to be milling about in circles but cannot be defeated. – Sun Tzu Quote

In war, numbers alone confer no advantage. Do not advance relying on sheer military power. – Sun Tzu Quote

In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns. – Sun Tzu Quote

In warfare, first lay plans which will ensure victory, and then lead your army to battle; if you will not begin with stratagem but rely on brute strength alone, victory will no longer be assured. – Sun Tzu Quote

In warfare, there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent will succeed and win. – Sun Tzu Quote

In your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise: which of the two generals has the most ability? on which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? which army is stronger? on which side are the officers and men more highly trained? in which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment? – Sun Tzu Quote

Invincibility depends on one’s self; the enemy’s vulnerability on him. – Sun Tzu Quote

Invincibility is in oneself, and vulnerability is in the opponent. Invincibility is a matter of defense, vulnerability is a matter of attack. Therefore skillful warriors are able to be invincible, but they cannot cause opponents to be vulnerable. That is why it is said that victory is discerned and not manufactured. – Sun Tzu Quote

Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack. – Sun Tzu Quote

It is a doctrine of war not to assume the enemy will not come, but rather to rely on one’s readiness to meet him; not to presume that he will not attack, but rather to make one’s self invincible. – Sun Tzu Quote

It is according to the shapes that I lay the plans for victory, but the multitude does not comprehend this. Although everyone can see the outward aspects, none understands the way in which I have created victory. – Sun Tzu Quote

It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you. Give them instructions and care for them. Thus double agents are recruited and used. – Sun Tzu Quote

It is imperative to contest all factions for complete victory, so the army is not garrisoned and the profit can be total. This is the law of strategic siege. – Sun Tzu Quote

It is more important to outhink your enemy, than to outfight him. – Sun Tzu Quote

It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on. – Sun Tzu Quote

It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results. – Sun Tzu Quote

It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle. – Sun Tzu Quote

It is sufficient to estimate the enemy situation correctly and to concentrate your strength to capture him. There is no more to it than this. He who lacks foresight and underestimates his enemy will surely be captured by him. – Sun Tzu Quote

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

It is the business of a general to be serene and inscrutable, impartial and self-controlled. – Sun Tzu Quote

It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy’s one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two. – Sun Tzu Quote

It is the rule in war, if ten times the enemy’s strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, be able to divide them; if equal, engage them; if fewer, be able to evade them; if weaker, be able to avoid them. – Sun Tzu Quote

It is through the dispositions of an army that its condition may be discovered. Conceal your dispositions, and your condition will remain secret, which leads to victory,; show your dispositions, and your condition will become patent, which leads to defeat. – Sun Tzu Quote

Keep their friends close and their enemies closer. – Sun Tzu Quote

Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never peril. – Sun Tzu Quote

Know the enemy, know yourself; your victory will never be endangered. Know the ground, know the weather; your victory will then be total. – Sun Tzu Quote

Know thy enemy and know thy self and you will win a hundred battles. – Sun Tzu Quote

Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories. – Sun Tzu Quote

Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster. – Sun Tzu Quote

Know yourself and you will win all battles. Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain. – Sun Tzu Quote

Knowledge of the enemy’s dispositions can only be obtained from other men. – Sun Tzu Quote

Let your plans be dark and as impenetratable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt. – Sun Tzu Quote

Like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more. – Sun Tzu Quote

Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated. – Sun Tzu Quote

Management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization. – Sun Tzu Quote

Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous. – Sun Tzu Quote

Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards… Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain. – Sun Tzu Quote

Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical. – Sun Tzu Quote

No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life. – Sun Tzu Quote

Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuver. What is difficult about maneuver is to make the devious route the most direct and to turn misfortune to advantage. – Sun Tzu Quote

Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuvering for advantageous positions. – Sun Tzu Quote

Now a soldier’s spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is only on returning to camp. – Sun Tzu Quote

Now an army is exposed to six several calamities, not arising from natural causes, 1 but from faults for which the general is responsible. These are: (1) Flight; (2) insubordination; (3) collapse; (4) ruin; (5) disorganisation; (6) rout. – Sun Tzu Quote

Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge. – Sun Tzu Quote

Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation. – Sun Tzu Quote

Sun Tzu Quotes

O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible and hence we can hold the enemy’s fate in our hands. – Sun Tzu Quote

Of all rewards none [is] more liberal than those given to secret agents. – Sun Tzu Quote

Of all those in the army close to the commander none is more intimate than the secret agent; of all rewards none more liberal than those given to secret agents; of all matters none is more confidential than those relating to secret operations. – Sun Tzu Quote

Of all those in the army close to the commander, none is more intimate than the secret agent. – Sun Tzu Quote

Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability. – Sun Tzu Quote

On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not. On facile ground, halt not. On contentious ground, attack not. On open ground, do not try to block the enemy’s way. On the ground of intersecting highways, join hands with your allies. On serious ground, gather in plunder. In difficult ground, keep steadily on the march. On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem. On desperate ground, fight. – Sun Tzu Quote

On the field of battle, the spoken word does not carry far enough; hence the institution of gongs and drums… banners and flags. Gongs and drums, banners and flags, are means whereby the ears and eyes of the host may be focused on one particular point. – Sun Tzu Quote

One defends when his strength is inadequate, he attacks when it is abundant. – Sun Tzu Quote

One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all. – Sun Tzu Quote

One need not destroy one’s enemy. One need only destroy his willingness to engage. – Sun Tzu Quote

One who has few must prepare against the enemy; one who has many makes the enemy prepare against him. – Sun Tzu Quote

One who sets the entire army in motion to chase an advantage will not attain it. – Sun Tzu Quote

One who speaks deferentially but increases his preparations will advance. One who speaks belligerently and advances hastily will retreat. – Sun Tzu Quote

One whose troops repeatedly congregate in small groups here and there, whispering together, has lost the masses. One who frequently grants rewards is in deep distress. One who frequently imposes punishments is in great difficulty. One who is at first excessively brutal and then fears the masses is the pinnacle of stupidity. – Sun Tzu Quote

Opportunities multiply as they are seized. – Sun Tzu Quote

Order or disorder depends on organisation; courage or cowardice on circumstances; strength or weakness on dispositions. – Sun Tzu Quote

Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled against another ten times its size, the result will be the flight of the former. – Sun Tzu Quote

Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot. – Sun Tzu Quote

Perfection in war lies in so sapping your opponents will that he surrenders without fighting. – Sun Tzu Quote

Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety. – Sun Tzu Quote

Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small. The difficult things in this world must be done while they are easy, the greatest things in the world must be done while they are still small. For this reason sages never do what is great, and this is why they achieve greatness. – Sun Tzu Quote

Plan for what it is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small. – Sun Tzu Quote

Ponder and deliberate before you make your move. He will conquer who has learned the artifice of deviation. Such is the art of maneuvering. – Sun Tzu Quote

Pretend to be weak, so your enemy may grow arrogant. – Sun Tzu Quote

Probe him and learn where his strength is abundant and where deficient. – Sun Tzu Quote

Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared. – Sun Tzu Quote

Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy’s unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots. – Sun Tzu Quote

Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death. – Sun Tzu Quote

Rely not on the likelihood of the enemy’s not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him. – Sun Tzu Quote

Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day. – Sun Tzu Quote

Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move. – Sun Tzu Quote

Set the troops to their tasks without imparting your designs. – Sun Tzu Quote

Should one ask: ‘how do I cope with a well-ordered enemy host about to attack me?’ I reply: seize something he cherishes and he will conform to your desires. – Sun Tzu Quote

Should the enemy forestall you in occupying a pass, do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it is weakly garrisoned. – Sun Tzu Quote

Should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will weaken his van; should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right; should he strengthen his right, he will weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak. – Sun Tzu Quote

So a military force has no constant formation, water has no constant shape: the ability to gain victory by changing and adapting according to the opponent is called genius. – Sun Tzu Quote

So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak. Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. – Sun Tzu Quote

So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak. – Sun Tzu Quote

So it is that good warriors take their stance on ground where they cannot lose, and do not overlook conditions that make an opponent prone to defeat. – Sun Tzu Quote

So the important thing in a military operation is victory, not persistence. – Sun Tzu Quote

So the principles of warfare are: Do not depend on the enemy not coming, but depend on our readiness against him. Do not depend on the enemy not attacking, but depend on our position that cannot be attacked. – Sun Tzu Quote

So there are five ways of knowing who will win. Those who know when to fight and when not to fight are victorious. Those who discern when to use many or few troops are victorious. Those whose upper and lower ranks have the same desire are victorious. – Sun Tzu Quote

Someone unfamiliar with the mountains and forests cannot advance [the team]. One who does not employ local guides cannot gain the advantage. – Sun Tzu Quote

Spies are a most important element in water, because on them depends an army’s ability to move. – Sun Tzu Quote

Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity. – Sun Tzu Quote

Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity; (2) They cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straight forwardness; (3) Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports; (4) Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of warfare; (5) If a secret piece of news is divulged by a spy before the time is ripe, he must be put to death together with the man to whom the secret was told. – Sun Tzu Quote

Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat. – Sun Tzu Quote

Subjugating the enemy’s army without fighting is the true pinnacle of excellence. – Sun Tzu Quote

Subtle and insubstantial, the expert leaves no trace; divinely mysterious, he is inaudible. Thus he is master of his enemy’s fate. – Sun Tzu Quote

Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy’s purpose. – Sun Tzu Quote

Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting. – Sun Tzu Quote

Supreme excellence in warfare consists of subduing the enemy without fighting. – Sun Tzu Quote

Swift as the wind. Quiet as the forest. Conquer like the fire. Steady as the mountain. – Sun Tzu Quote

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

The art of using troops is this: ……When ten to the enemy’s one, surround him; ……When five times his strength, attack him; ……If double his strength, divide him; ……If equally matched you may engage him; ……If weaker numerically, be capable of withdrawing; ……And if in all respects unequal, be capable of eluding him, ……….for a small force is but booty for one more powerful. – Sun Tzu Quote

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. – Sun Tzu Quote

The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy’s not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable. – Sun Tzu Quote

The best general is the one who never fights. – Sun Tzu Quote

The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities…It is best to win without fighting. – Sun Tzu Quote

The business of a general is to kick away the ladder behind soldiers when they have climbed up a height. – Sun Tzu Quote

The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him. – Sun Tzu Quote

The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilize combined energy. – Sun Tzu Quote

The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success. – Sun Tzu Quote

The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers. – Sun Tzu Quote

The control of large numbers is possible, and like unto that of small numbers, if we subdivide them. – Sun Tzu Quote

The dance of battle is always played to the same impatient rhythm. What begins in a surge of violent motion is always reduced to the perfectly still. – Sun Tzu Quote

The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain. – Sun Tzu Quote

The end and aim of spying in all its five varieties is knowledge of the enemy; and this knowledge can only be derived, in the first instance, from the converted spy. Hence it is essential that the converted spy be treated with the utmost liberality. – Sun Tzu Quote

The enemy’s spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they will become double agents and available for our service. It is through the information brought by the double agent that we are able to acquire and employ local and inward spies. It is owing to his information, again, that we can cause the doomed spy to carry false tidings to the enemy. – Sun Tzu Quote

The essential factor of military success is speed, that is taking advantage of others’ unpreparedness or lack of foresight, their failure to catch up, going by routes they do not expect, attacking where they are not on guard. This you cannot accomplish with hesitation. – Sun Tzu Quote

The expert in battle seeks his victory from strategic advantage and does not demand it from his men. – Sun Tzu Quote

The general must be the first in the toils and fatigues of the army. In the heat of summer he does not spread his parasol nor in the cold of winter don thick clothing. In dangerous places he must dismount and walk. He waits until the army’s wells have been dug and only then drinks; until the army’s food is cooked before he eats; until the army’s fortifications have been completed, to shelter himself. – Sun Tzu Quote

The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat: – let such a one be dismissed! – Sun Tzu Quote

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. – Sun Tzu Quote

The General who in advancing does not seek personal fame, and in withdrawing is not concerned with avoiding punishment, but whose only purpose is to protect the people and promote the best interests of his sovereign, is the precious jewel of the state. – Sun Tzu Quote

The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose. – Sun Tzu Quote

The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand. – Sun Tzu Quote

The good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy. – Sun Tzu Quote

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 Quote

The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy. – Sun Tzu Quote

The King is only fond of words, and cannot translate them into deeds. – Sun Tzu Quote

the leader of armies is the arbiter of the people’s fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril. – Sun Tzu Quote

The military has no constant form, just as water has no constant shape – adapt as you face the enemy, without letting them know beforehand what you are going to do. – Sun Tzu Quote

The natural formation of the country is the soldier’s best ally; but a power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers and distances, constitutes the test of a great general. – Sun Tzu Quote

The nature of war is constant change. – Sun Tzu Quote

The one who figures on victory at headquarters before even doing battle is the one who has the most strategic factors on his side. – Sun Tzu Quote

The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. – Sun Tzu Quote

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. – Sun Tzu Quote

The peak efficiency of knowledge and strategy is to make conflict unnecessary. – Sun Tzu Quote

The proximity of an army causes prices to go up; and high prices cause people’s substance to be drained away. When their substance is drained away, they will be afflicted by heavy exactions. With this loss of substance and exhaustion of strength, the homes of the people will be stripped bare, and their incomes dissipated. – Sun Tzu Quote

The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim. – Sun Tzu Quote

The relative size of your force as against that of your adversary is by itself of no consequence. What controls is the relative size of your force at the point where you join in battle. You can strike with the few and be many if you strike your adversary in his gaps. Seek out places where the defense is not strict, the place not tightly guarded, the generals weak, the troops disorderly, the supplies are scarce and the forces are isolated. – Sun Tzu Quote

The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming. – Sun Tzu Quote

The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man. – Sun Tzu Quote

The skillful leader subdues the enemy’s troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field. With his forces intact he will dispute the mastery of the Empire, and thus, without losing a man, his triumph will be complete. This is the method of attacking by stratagem. – Sun Tzu Quote

The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the Ch’ang mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both. – Sun Tzu Quote

The sovereign must have full knowledge of the activities of the five sorts of agents. This knowledge must come from the double agents, and therefore it is mandatory that they be treated with the utmost liberality. – Sun Tzu Quote

The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points; and his forces being thus distributed in many directions, the numbers we shall have to face at any given point will be proportionately few. – Sun Tzu Quote

The successful person has unusual skill at dealing with conflict and ensuring the best outcome for all. – Sun Tzu Quote

The supreme excellence is not to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles. The supreme excellence is to subdue the armies of your enemies without having to fight them. – Sun Tzu Quote

The true objective of war is peace. – Sun Tzu Quote

The ultimate in disposing one’s troops is to be without ascertainable shape. Then the most penetrating spies cannot pry in nor can the wise lay plans against you. – Sun Tzu Quote

The value of time, that is of being a little ahead of your opponent, often provides greater advantage than superior numbers or greater resources. – Sun Tzu Quote

There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: recklessness, which leads to destruction; cowardice, which leads to capture; a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults; a delicacy of honour, which is sensitive to shame; over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble. – Sun Tzu Quote

There are five kinds of incendiary attack: The first is called setting fire to personnel; the second, to stores; the third, to transport vehicles and equipment; the fourth, to munitions; the fifth, to supply installations…In all cases an army must understand the changes induced by the five kinds of incendiary attack, and make use of logistical calculations to address them. – Sun Tzu Quote

There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.There are not more than five primary colors, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations of them yield more flavors than can ever be tasted. – Sun Tzu Quote

There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen. – Sun Tzu Quote

There are only five notes in the musical scale, but their variations are so many that they cannot all be heard. There are only five basic colors, but their variations are so many that they cannot all be seen. There are only five basic flavors, but their variations are so many that they cannot all be tasted. There are only two kinds of charge in battle, the unorthodox surprise attack and the orthodox direct attack, but variations of the unorthodox and the orthodox are endless. The unorthodox and the orthodox give rise to each other, like a beginningless circle-who could exhaust them? – Sun Tzu Quote

There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed. – Sun Tzu Quote

There are routes not to be followed, armies not to be attacked, citadels not to be besieged, territory not to be fought over. – Sun Tzu Quote

There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune on his army: By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called hobbling the army. By attempting to govern an army in the same way as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of the conditions which obtain in an army. This causes restlessness in the soldier’s minds. By employing the officers of his army without discrimination, through ignorance of the military principle of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers. – Sun Tzu Quote

There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited. – Sun Tzu Quote

There is an intelligent way to eat a live frog – I just don’t know what it is. – Sun Tzu Quote

There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare. – Sun Tzu Quote

There is nothing more difficult than tactical maneuvering. The difficult consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain. Thus, to take a long and circuitous route after enticing the enemy out of the way, and though starting after him to contrive to reach the goal before him, shows knowledge of the artifice of deviation. – Sun Tzu Quote

Therefore a victorious army first wins and then seeks battle; a defeated army first battles and then seeks victory. – Sun Tzu Quote

Therefore I say: know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril. When you are ignorant of the enemy but know yourself, your chances of winning or losing are equal. If ignorant both of your enemy and of yourself, you are certain in every battle to be in peril. – Sun Tzu Quote

Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision. – Sun Tzu Quote

Therefore the skilful leader subdues the enemy’s troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field. – Sun Tzu Quote

Therefore the victories of good warriors are not noted for cleverness or bravery. Therefore, their victories in battle are no flukes. Their victories are not flukes because they position themselves where they will surely win, prevailing over those who have already lost. – Sun Tzu Quote

Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. – Sun Tzu Quote

Therefore, to estimate the enemy situation and to calculate distances and the degree of difficulty of the terrain so as to control victory are virtues of the superior general. – Sun Tzu Quote

These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post. – Sun Tzu Quote

These are the six ways of courting defeat – neglect to estimate the enemy’s strength; want of authority; defective training; unjustifiable anger; nonobservance of discipline; failure to use picked men… – Sun Tzu Quote

They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. – Sun Tzu Quote

This does not mean that the enemy is to be allowed to escape. The object is to make him believe that there is a road to safety, and thus prevent his fighting with the courage of despair. After that, you may crush him. – Sun Tzu Quote

Those skilled at making the enemy move do so by creating a situation to which he must conform; they entice him with something he is certain to take, and with lures of ostensible profit they await him in strength. – Sun Tzu Quote

Those skilled in attack move as from above the nine-fold heavens. Thus they are capable both of protecting themselves and of gaining complete victory. – Sun Tzu Quote

Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow. – Sun Tzu Quote

Those who do not know the plans of competitors cannot prepare alliances. Those who do not know the lay of the land cannot maneuver their forces. Those who do not use local guides cannot take advantage of the ground. – Sun Tzu Quote

Those who excel in war first cultivate their own humanity and and maintain their laws and institutions. By these means they make their governments invincible. – Sun Tzu Quote

Those who would wage war, should first eliminate all domestic enemies before proceeding to attack the external foe. – Sun Tzu Quote

Those whose upper and lower ranks have the same desire are victorious. – Sun Tzu Quote

Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve. – Sun Tzu Quote

Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory. – Sun Tzu Quote

Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him. – Sun Tzu Quote

Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy’s plans, the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy’s forces, the next in order is to attack the enemy’s army in the field, and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities. – Sun Tzu Quote

Thus the skilful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand. – Sun Tzu Quote

Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy’s army without battle …. They conquer by strategy. – Sun Tzu Quote

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. – Sun Tzu Quote

Thus, though I have heard of successful military operations that were clumsy but swift, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays. – Sun Tzu Quote

Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy. – Sun Tzu Quote

To … not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues. – Sun Tzu Quote

To capture the enemy’s entire army is better than to destroy it; to take intact a regiment, a company, or a squad is better than to destroy them. For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the supreme of excellence. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence. – Sun Tzu Quote

To conquer the enemy without resorting to war is the most desirable. The highest form of generalship is to conquer the enemy by strategy. – Sun Tzu Quote

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 Quote

To maintain an army at a distance causes the people to be impoverished. – Sun Tzu Quote

To perceive victory when it is known to all is not really skilful. Everyone calls victory in battle good, but it is not really good. – Sun Tzu Quote

To perceive victory when it is known to all is not really skilful… It does not take much strength to lift a hair, it does not take sharp eyes to see the sun and moon, it does not take sharp ears to hear the thunderclap. – Sun Tzu Quote

To persuade your enemy to (retreat) before the fight is to defeat them even before the battle begins. An enemy made ally is no longer an enemy. – Sun Tzu Quote

To plan secretly, to move surreptitiously, to foil the enemy’s intentions and balk his schemes, so that at last the day may be won without shedding a drop of blood. – Sun Tzu Quote

To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence. – Sun Tzu Quote

To Subdue an enemy without fighting is the greatest of skills – Sun Tzu Quote

Too frequent rewards indicate that the general is at the end of his resources; too frequent punishments that he is in acute distress. – Sun Tzu Quote

Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting. – Sun Tzu Quote

Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise, for the result is waste of time and general stagnation. – Sun Tzu Quote

Unless you enter the tiger’s lair, you cannot get hold of the tiger’s cubs. – Sun Tzu Quote

Unless you know the mountains and the forests, the defiles and impasses, the lay of the marshes and swamps, you cannot maneuver with an armed force. Unless you use local guides, you cannot get the advantages of the land. – Sun Tzu Quote

Until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared. – Sun Tzu Quote

Use humility to make the enemy haughty. Tire them by flight. Cause division among them. When they are unprepared, attack and make your move when they do not expect it. – Sun Tzu Quote

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win. – Sun Tzu Quote

Victory usually goes to the army who has better trained officers and men. – Sun Tzu Quote

Wait by the river long enough and the body of your enemy will float by you. – Sun Tzu Quote

War is a matter of vital importance to the state; the province of life or death; the road to survival or ruin. It is mandatory that it be thoroughly studied. – Sun Tzu Quote

We cannot enter into alliance with neighbouring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country – its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides. – Sun Tzu Quote

We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country… – Sun Tzu Quote

We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporising ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy. – Sun Tzu Quote

Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy. – Sun Tzu Quote

Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy; forceful execution of even a poor plan can often bring victory. – Sun Tzu Quote

What enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge. – Sun Tzu Quote

What is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations. – Sun Tzu Quote

What is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy. – Sun Tzu Quote

What is of the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed: One cannot afford to neglect opportunity. – Sun Tzu Quote

What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease. – Sun Tzu Quote

When a general, unable to estimate the enemy’s strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one, and neglects to place picked soldiers in the front rank, the result must be rout. – Sun Tzu Quote

When campaigning, be swift as the wind; in leisurely march, majestic as the forest; in raiding and plundering, like fire; in standing, firm as the mountains. As unfathomable as the clouds, move like a thunderbolt. – Sun Tzu Quote

When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. – Sun Tzu Quote

When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope; if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if round-shaped to go rolling down. – Sun Tzu Quote

When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become, as it were, like rolling logs or stones… The energy developed by good fighting men is as the momentum of a round stone rolled down a mountain thousands of feet in height. – Sun Tzu Quote

When I have won a victory I do not repeat my tactics but respond to circumstances in an infinite variety of ways. – Sun Tzu Quote

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. – Sun Tzu Quote

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

When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise. – Sun Tzu Quote

When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse. – Sun Tzu Quote

When the enemy is at ease, be able to weary him; when well fed, to starve him; when at rest, to make him move. Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you. – Sun Tzu Quote

When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move. – Sun Tzu Quote

When the enemy’s envoy’s speak in humble terms, but continues his preparations, he will advance. When their language is deceptive but the enemy pretentiously advances, he will retreat. When the envoys speak in apologetic terms, he wishes a respite. When without a previous understanding the enemy asks for a truce, he is plotting. When the enemy sees an advantage but does not advance to seize it, he is fatigued. – Sun Tzu Quote

When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixed duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization. – Sun Tzu Quote

When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or not he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin. – Sun Tzu Quote

When the leader is morally weak and his discipline not strict, when his instructions and guidance are not enlightened, when there are no consistent rules, neighboring rulers will take advantage of this. – Sun Tzu Quote

When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporising ground. – Sun Tzu Quote

When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food. – Sun Tzu Quote

When the thunderclap comes, there is no time to cover the ears. – Sun Tzu Quote

When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum. When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing. – Sun Tzu Quote

When you are ignorant of the enemy but know yourself, your chances of winning or losing are equal. – Sun Tzu Quote

When you do battle, even if you are winning, if you continue for a long time it will dull your forces and blunt you edge…If you keep your armies out in the field for a long time, your supplies will be insufficient. Transportation of provisions itself consumes 20 times the amount transported. – Sun Tzu Quote

When you know both yourself as well as your competition, you are never in danger. To know yourself and not others, gives you half a chance of winning. Knowing neither yourself or your competition puts you in a position to lose. – Sun Tzu Quote

When you shoot a bow and arrow, you aim at the clouds, not because you expect to hit them, but so that you may reach the distant target on the ground. – Sun Tzu Quote

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

When your opponent gives you an opening, be swift as a hare. – Sun Tzu Quote

When your weapons are dulled and ardour damped, your strength exhausted and treasure spent, neighboring rulers will take advantage of your distress to act. And even though you have wise counsellors, none will be able to lay good plans for the future. Thus, while we have heard of blundering swiftness in war, we have not yet seen a clever operation that was prolonged. – Sun Tzu Quote

Where the army is, prices are high; when prices rise the wealth of the people is exhausted. – Sun Tzu Quote

Who can determine where one ends and the other begins? – Sun Tzu Quote

Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits. – Sun Tzu Quote

Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted. – Sun Tzu Quote

Whoever is the first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy will be fresh for the fight… Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy… By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to approach of his own accord; or by inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the enemy to draw near. – Sun Tzu Quote

Winning isn’t enough. The acme of all skill is to defeat your enemy before taking the field. – Sun Tzu Quote

Winning Strategists are certain of triumph before seeking a challenge. Losing Strategists are certain to challenge before seeking a triumph. – Sun Tzu Quote

With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies. Then you will be able to fight with advantage. – Sun Tzu Quote

With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy. – Sun Tzu Quote

With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up. – Sun Tzu Quote

Without harmony in the State, no military expedition can be undertaken; without harmony in the army, no battle array can be formed. – Sun Tzu Quote

Without local guides, your enemy employs the land as a weapon against you. – Sun Tzu Quote

Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports. – Sun Tzu Quote

You can ensure the success of your attacks if you only attack places that are undefended. You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked. Therefore, that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack. – Sun Tzu Quote

You can prevent your opponent from defeating you through defense, but you cannot defeat him without taking the offensive. – Sun Tzu Quote

You cannot know if you will be successful or not. You can only prepare for battle and it must be done with all of your heart and with all of your consciousness. In that manner, you will have an edge. – Sun Tzu Quote

Sun Tzu Quotes

The Art of War

Chapter titles from Chow-Hou Wee (2003)

Chapter I · Detail Assessment and Planning

  • 兵者,詭道也。故能而示之不能,用而示之不用,近而示之遠,遠而示之近,
    • All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
    • Variant translations
    • A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.
  • 實而備之,強而避之,怒而撓之,卑而驕之,佚而勞之,親而離之,出其不意,攻其不備。
    • If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
    • Note: “If his forces are united, separate them” is also interpreted: “If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them.”
  • 亂而取之
    • Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
  • 卑則驕之
    • Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.
  • 孫子曰:國之上下,死生之地,存亡之道,不可不察也。
    • 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.
  • 夫未戰而庙算胜者,得算多也;未戰而庙算不勝者,得算少也。
    • The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.
  • 将听吾计,用之必胜,留之;将不听吾计,用之必败,去之;
    • The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat: — let such a one be dismissed!
  • 怒而挠之
    • If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him.

Chapter II · Waging War

  • 故兵貴勝,不貴久。
    • What is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations.
  • 近于师者贵卖,贵卖则百姓财竭
    • Where the army is, prices are high; when prices rise the wealth of the people is exhausted.
  • 兵久而国利者,未之有也。
    • There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.

Chapter III · Strategic Attack

  • 上兵伐謀
    • What is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy.
  • 知彼知己,百戰不殆;不知彼而知己,一勝一負;不知彼,不知己,每戰必殆
    • It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle.
    • Variant translations
    • If you know others and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know others but know yourself, you win one and lose one; if you do not know others and do not know yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle.
    • Know your enemy and know yourself, find naught in fear for 100 battles. Know yourself but not your enemy, find level of loss and victory. Know not thy enemy nor yourself, wallow in defeat every time.
    • Literal translation: Know [the] other, know [the] self, hundred battles without danger; not knowing [the] other but know [the] self, one win one loss; not knowing [the] other, not knowing [the] self, every battle must [be] lost.
  • 故用兵之法,十則圍之,五則攻之,倍則分之, 敵則能戰之,少則能守之,不若則能避之。
    • It is the rule in war, if ten times the enemy’s strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, be able to divide them; if equal, engage them; if fewer, defend against them; if weaker, be able to avoid them.
  • 是故百戰百勝,非善之善者也;不戰而屈人之兵,善之善者也。
    • For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.
    • Variant translations
    • 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 best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities… It is best to win without fighting.
  • 古之所善戰者,勝於易勝者也。
    • What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.
  • 知可战与不可战者胜。
    • He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious.
  • 以虞待不虞者胜。
    • He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.
  • 凡用兵之法,全國為上;破國次之;全軍為上,破軍次之;全旅為上,破旅次之;全卒為上,破卒次之;全伍為上,破伍次之。
    • In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy’s country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. So, too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them.
    • Variant translations
    • It is best to keep one’s own state intact; to crush the enemy’s state is only second best.
  • 是故上攻伐谋
    • Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy.

Chapter IV · Disposition of the Army

  • 是故勝兵先勝而後求戰,敗兵先戰而後求勝。
    • Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
    • Variant: Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.
  • 见胜不过众人之所识,非善之善者也。
    • To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.
  • 守则不足,攻则有余
    • One defends when his strength is inadequate; he attacks when it is abundant.
  • 孫子曰:昔之善戰者,先為不可勝,以待敵之可勝,不可勝在己,可勝在敵。故善戰者,能為不可勝,不能使敵必可勝。故曰:勝可知,而不可為。
    • Sunzi said: The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.
    • Translation by Lionel Giles

Chapter V · Forces

  • 治众如治寡,分数是也。
    • Management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization.
  • 积水之激,至于漂石者,势也。鸷鸟之疾,至于毁折者,节也。
    • When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum. When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing.
  • 鸷鸟之疾,至于毁折者,节也。
    • The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.
  • 故善战者,求之于势,不责于人。
    • A skilled commander seeks victory from the situation and does not demand it of his subordinates.
    • VariantThe expert in battle seeks his victory from strategic advantage and does not demand it from his men.

Chapter VI · Weaknesses and Strengths

  • 微乎微乎,至于无形;神乎神乎,至于无声;故能为敌之司命。
    • Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent’s fate.
    • Alternative translation: Subtle and insubstantial, the expert leaves no trace; divinely mysterious, he is inaudible. Thus he is master of his enemy’s fate.
    • Alternative translation: O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible and hence we can hold the enemy’s fate in our hands.
  • 人皆知我所以勝之形,而莫知吾所以制勝之形。
    • All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
  • 故形兵之极,至于无形,无形,则深间不能窥,上智不能谋。
    • The ultimate in disposing one’s troops is to be without ascertainable shape. Then the most penetrating spies cannot pry in nor can the wise lay plans against you.
  • 故善战者,至人而不至于人。
    • And therefore those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him.
  • 故敌逸能劳之,饱能饥之,安能动之。出其所不趋,趋其所不意。
    • When the enemy is at ease, be able to weary him; when well fed, to starve him; when at rest, to make him move. Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
  • Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.
    • Lionel Giles translation

Chapter VII · Military Maneuvers

  • 圍師必闕
    • To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape.

Chapter VIII · Variations and Adaptability

  • 故用兵之法,無恃其不來,恃吾有以待之;無恃其不攻,恃吾有所不可攻也。
    • The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy’s not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.
    • Translation by Lionel Giles

Chapter IX · Movement and Development of Troops

  • 数赏者,窘也;数罚者,困也;
    • Too frequent rewards indicate that the general is at the end of his resources; too frequent punishments that he is in acute distress.
  • In war, numbers alone confer no advantage. Do not advance relying on sheer military power.
  • 令素行以教其民,则民服。令不素行以教其民,则民不服。令素行者,与民相得也。
    • A leader leads by example not by force.

Chapter X · Terrain

  • 将弱不严,教道不明,将之过也。
    • 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.
  • 故戰道必勝,主曰無戰,必戰可也;戰道不勝,主曰必戰,无戰可也;
    • If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler’s bidding.
  • 进不邀功,退不避罪,唯人是保,而利合于主,国之宝也。
    • 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.
  • 視卒如愛子,故可與之俱死。
    • Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.

Chapter XI · The Nine Battlegrounds

  • 吾士无余财,非恶货也。无余命,非恶寿也。
    • If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.
  • 兵之情主速,乘敌所不及,由不虞之途,攻其所不备也。
    • Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy’s unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions.
  • 施无法之赏,悬无政之令。犯三军之众,若使一人。
    • Bestow rewards without respect to customary practice; publish orders without respect to precedent. Thus you may employ the entire army as you would one man.

Chapter XII · Attacking with Fire

  • 非利不動,非得不用,非危不戰。主不可以怒而興師,將不可以慍而致戰;合于利而動,不合于利而止。怒可以復喜,慍可以復悅,亡國不可以復存,死者不可以復生。故明君慎之,良將警之,此安國全軍之道也。
    • Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical. No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life. Hence the enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution. This is the way to keep a country at peace and an army intact.
    • Translation by Lionel Giles

Chapter XIII · Intelligence and Espionage

  • 敌间之来间我者,因而利之,导而舍之,故反间可得而用也;
    • It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you. Give them instructions and care for them. Thus doubled agents are recruited and used.
  • 故明君賢將,所以動而勝人,成功出于眾者,先知也。
    • Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge.
  • 故三军之事,莫亲于间,赏莫厚于间,事莫密于间,
    • Of all those in the army close to the commander none is more intimate than the secret agent; of all rewards none more liberal than those given to secret agents; of all matters none is more confidential than those relating to secret operations.
  • 此(译注:用间)兵之要,三军之所恃而动也。
    • Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.
  1. Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory:

(1) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.

(2) He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.

(3) He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.

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

(5) He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.

  1. Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself you will succumb in every battle. – Sun Tzu Quote, The Art of War Translated from the Chinese by LIONEL GILES, M.A. (1910)

If I wish to engage, then the enemy, for all his high ramparts and deep moat, cannot avoid engagement; I attack that which he is obliged to rescue.  – Sun Tzu Quote, The Art of War

Disputed

  • Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.
    • This has appeared as a variant of Sun Tzu’s assertion to “leave a way of escape.” Tu Mu, commenting on Sun Tzu, advises, “Show him there is a road to safety…” Ch. 7; it has also recently appeared on the internet attributed to Scipio Africanus, but without citation.
  • 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.
  • Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price.
    • Attributed to Sun Tzu in multiple books and internet sites, but this text does not appear in The Art of War and seems to be a more recent creation.

Misattributed

  • Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
    • This has often been attributed to Sun Tzu and sometimes to Petrarch. It comes most directly from a line spoken by Michael Corleone in The Godfather Part II (1974), written by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola:
      • My father taught me many things here. He taught me in this room. He taught me: keep your friends close but your enemies closer.
    • Niccolò Machiavelli, who is also sometimes credited, wrote on the subject in The Prince:
      • It is easier for the prince to make friends of those men who were contented under the former government, and are therefore his enemies, than of those who, being discontented with it, were favourable to him and encouraged him to seize it.

There are some attributions of this comment to Ghengis Khan ( Mongol Warlord ).

  • To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.
    • This is sometimes attributed to Sun Tzu in combination with the above quote, as well as alone, but it too has not been sourced to any published translation of The Art of War, though it is similar in concept to his famous statement in Ch. 3 : “It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles…”
  • Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
    • Probably apocryphal. This quotation does not appear in any print translation of Sun Tzu. The first citation in Google Books is from 2002; no citation in Google Books occurs in a translation of Sun Tzu.
  • The true objective of war is peace.
    • This attributed to Sun Tzu and his book The Art of War. Actually James Clavell’s foreword in The Art of War states, “’the true object of war is peace.’” Therefore the quote is stated by James Clavell, but the true origin of Clavell’s quotation is unclear. Nonetheless the essence of the quote, that a long war exhausts a state and therefore ultimately seeking peace is in the interest of the warring state, is true, as Sun Tzu in Chapter II Waging Wars says that “There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare. It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.” This has been interpreted by Lionel Giles as “Only one who knows the disastrous effects of a long war can realize the supreme importance of rapidity in bringing it to a close.”
    • Dr. Hiroshi Hatanaka, President of Kobe College, Nishinomiya, Hyōgo, Japan is recorded as saying “the real objective of war is peace” in Pacific Stars and Stripes Ryukyu Edition, Tokyo, Japan (10 February 1949), Page 2, Column 2.
  • Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
    • Sun Tzu among many other military thinkers and leaders believed in fate and determination from the correct application of theory, the state of the opponent’s and one’s own power, and a code for the general and a code for the soldier to follow, rather than the Machiavellian type of intuition that evokes an evolution of opportunism that brought great historical consequences as it dominated over the classical and medieval ethical doctrines. Thus this statement is contrary to Sun Tzu principles. Nevertheless, there is a possible relation to the quote: Quickness is the essence of the war.
  • In peace, prepare for war. In war, prepare for peace.
    • Sometimes erroneously prepended to the opening line “The art of war is of vital importance to the State”, but appears to be a variation of the Roman motto “Si vis pacem, para bellum”. It’s not clear who first misattributed this phrase to Sun Tzu. The earliest appearance of the phrase in Google Books is 1920, when it appeared in a pharmaceutical journal, but no attribution was given then.
  • Fear is the true enemy, the only enemy.
    • Attributed implicitly to Sun Tzu by “William Riker” in the episode The Last Outpost of the TV program Star Trek: The Next Generation, but no source for this quote predates the episode’s airing in 1987.

Quotes about Sun Tzu

  • 吳王曰:「將軍罷休就舍,寡人不願下觀。」孫子曰:「王徒好其言,不能用其實。」於是闔廬知孫子能用兵,卒以為將。西破彊楚,入郢,北威齊晉,顯名諸侯,孫子與有力焉。
    • The King of Wu said,”Enough, general. Retire to your hostel, We do not wish to come down and observe.” Sun Tzu said, “The king only loves the words, he cannot make use of the reality.” After this, Ho-lu knew that Sun Tzu could command troops and in the end appointed him commander. [Later when Wu] defeated mighty Ch’u to its west and entered its capital Ying awed Ch’i and Chin to its north and spread its fame among the feudal lords, it was due in part to Sun Tzu.
      • translated by Tsai-fa Cheng, Zongli Lu, William H. Nienhauser, Jr., and Robert Reynolds, in The Grand Scribe’s Records, edited by William H. Nienhauser, Jr.
    • Sima Qian, Records of the Grand Historian, 孫子吳起列傳
  • 諸將效首虜,(休)畢賀,因問信曰:「兵法右倍山陵,前左水澤,今者將軍令臣等反背水陳,曰破趙會食,臣等不服。然竟以勝,此何術也?」信曰:「此在兵法,顧諸君不察耳。兵法不曰『陷之死地而後生,置之亡地而後存』?且信非得素拊循士大夫也,此所謂『驅市人而戰之』,其勢非置之死地,使人人自為戰;今予之生地,皆走,寧尚可得而用之乎!」諸將皆服曰:「善。非臣所及也。」
    • After the various commanders presented the heads [of the enemies] and the captives, they all offered their congratulations. They took the advantage to ask [Han] Hsin and said, “The Art of War says ‘keep the hills to your right and your back; keep the waters to the front or at your left.’’ Now you, General, on the contrary ordered your subjects to draw up in array with our backs against the river and said, ‘We will defeat Chao and feast together.’ Your servants were not convinced. However, we won with this in the end. What strategy was this?” [Han] Hsin said, “This is in The Art of War, however, you gentlemen did not notice it. Doesn’t The Art of War say ‘They will survive after being trapped in a fatal situation and will live on after being placed in a hopeless position? Furthermore, I do not have well-trained officers. This is what is called ‘Drive the street rabble and have them fight.’ The circumstances were that I had to put them in a fatal situation and made every person fight for his life. If I had put them in a safe situation, they would have had already run away. How could they have been held and employed?” The various commanders were all convinced and said, “Well put. It is of [a level] that we could not reach.”
      • translation by ‎Wang Jing, in The Grand Scribe’s Records, edited by William H. Nienhauser, Jr.
    • On Battle of Jingxing
    • Sima Qian, Records of the Grand Historian, 淮陰侯列傳
  • Sun Tzu’s success teaches us that a successful general is one who fully calculates his approach and plans to fight in a battle. However, the average reader is not able to identify Sun Tzu’s teachings on a deeper or philosophical level. This is my reason for writing and exegeses on the Art of War.
    • Cao Cao, 《孫子略解》 Concise Explanations of Sun Tzu
  • The one thing missing from The Art of War is love, … any sense of altruism, any sense of loving your neighbor. It’s just a[bout] how to take advantage of your neighbor, how to triumph over your neighbor, how to manipulate your neighbor. I’m sorry… It’s a very nasty book. How to use your spies — that chapter thirteen on spies — is chilling. The whole book — of course it’s very clever, and of course a lot of it is very true, and of course we can go through life treating people in that way if you want to, but I don’t happen to believe that’s the best way to go. … The Lúnyǔ [Analects of Confucius] is a superior book to Sūnzi bīngfǎ [The Art of War] because the Lúnyǔ talks about morality, talks about caring for your fellow human being; after all, the whole idea of ren … doesn’t come in Sūnzi bīngfǎ at all. Sūnzi bīngfǎ is: how to use your friends and neighbors in order to get the better of them. That doesn’t make me feel good. I’m an old-fashioned kind of guy, and I believe in being nice to people whenever I can. … You don’t go out of your way like Sun Tzu to manipulate everybody including your friends. For me, Sūnzi bīngfǎ is the dark side of Chinese culture. It’s the dark side. And, I know it’s there. And there’s a dark side to Western culture too. And, therefore, it’s important to be aware of it, but not to be corrupted by it. Not to be polluted by it. Because it is a very powerfully-polluting little book. Very nasty little book. Let’s not pretend otherwise.
    • John Minford, Lecture on Culture and Translation at Hang Seng Management College (20 February 2016)

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