Ancient wisdom still holds power in our modern world, and the power of Sun Tzu’s teachings transcend time. Most famous Sun Tzu quotes are not only powerful, but also provide valuable lessons in leadership, strategy, and personal growth. These inspirational and meaningful Sun Tzu quotes can change the way you live, work, and strategize in today’s fast-paced world.
Best Sun Tzu Quotes
Quickness is the essence of the war. Sun Tzu
Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. Sun Tzu
Wheels of justice grind slow but grind fine. Sun Tzu
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. Sun Tzu
Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems. Sun Tzu
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
Never venture, never win! Sun Tzu
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt. Sun Tzu
If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things. Sun Tzu
Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting. Sun Tzu
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. Sun Tzu
In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity. Sun Tzu
Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. Sun Tzu
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. Sun Tzu
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
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win. Sun Tzu
Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across. Sun Tzu
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. 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
There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare. Sun Tzu
The greatest victory is that which requires no battle. Sun Tzu
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 colours, 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 flavours than can ever be tasted. Sun Tzu
To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy. Sun Tzu
Who wishes to fight must first count the cost. Sun Tzu
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
You have to believe in yourself. Sun Tzu
There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare. Sun Tzu
One may know how to conquer without being able to do it. Sun Tzu
Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley. Sun Tzu
What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease. Sun Tzu
Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust. Sun Tzu
One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all. Sun Tzu
Move swift as the Wind and closely formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain. Sun Tzu
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
Opportunities multiply as they are seized. Sun Tzu
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
Who wishes to fight must first count the cost. Sun Tzu
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
When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move. Sun Tzu
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat. Sun Tzu
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
He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious. Sun Tzu
If you wait by the river long enough, the bodies of your enemies will float by. Sun Tzu
A wise general makes a point of foraging of the enemy. Sun Tzu
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
Move swift as the Wind and closely formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain. Sun Tzu
So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak. Sun Tzu
Do not press an enemy at bay. Sun Tzu
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
For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards. Sun Tzu
Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across. Sun Tzu
If quick, I survive. If not quick, I am lost. This is death. Sun Tzu
The wise warrior avoids the battle. Sun Tzu
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
The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent. Sun Tzu
Bravery without forethought, causes a man to fight blindly and desperately like a mad bull. Such an opponent, must not be encountered with brute force, but may be lured into an ambush and slain. Sun Tzu
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
Ponder and deliberate before you make a move. Sun Tzu
What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease. Sun Tzu
Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day. Sun Tzu
Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots. Sun Tzu
Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will. Sun Tzu
One may know how to conquer without being able to do it. Sun Tzu
If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame. But, if orders are clear and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers. Sun Tzu
One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all. Sun Tzu
If his forces are united, separate them. Sun Tzu
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
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
You have to believe in yourself. Sun Tzu
It is easy to love your friend, but sometimes the hardest lesson to learn is to love your enemy. Sun Tzu
He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious. Sun Tzu
Be where your enemy is not. Sun Tzu
If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things. Sun Tzu
Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits. Sun Tzu
If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. Sun Tzu
Plan for what it is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small. Sun Tzu
Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack. Sun Tzu
Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Sun Tzu
Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him. Sun Tzu
Foreknowledge cannot be gotten from ghosts and spirits, cannot be had by analogy, cannot be found out by calculation. It must be obtained from people, people who know the conditions of the enemy. Sun Tzu
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
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
Great results, can be achieved with small forces. Sun Tzu
Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home. Sun Tzu
When one treats people with benevolence, justice, and righteoousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders. Sun Tzu
We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors. Sun Tzu
Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected. Sun Tzu
When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy. Sun Tzu
Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance. Sun Tzu
The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent. Sun Tzu
Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm. Sun Tzu
Hence 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
Ponder and deliberate before you make a move. Sun Tzu
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
Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the defensive. Sun Tzu
Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger. Sun Tzu
Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting. Sun Tzu
When your army has crossed the border, you should burn your boats and bridges, in order to make it clear to everybody that you have no hankering after home. Sun Tzu
He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. Sun Tzu
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
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
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
Bravery without forethought, causes a man to fight blindly and desperately like a mad bull. Such an opponent, must not be encountered with brute force, but may be lured into an ambush and slain. Sun Tzu
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
If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril. Sun Tzu
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt. Sun Tzu
It is easy to love your friend, but sometimes the hardest lesson to learn is to love your enemy. Sun Tzu
Great results can be achieved with small forces. Sun Tzu
Wheels of justice gind slow but grind fine. Sun Tzu
Opportunities multiply as they are seized. Sun Tzu
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
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
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
Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm. Sun Tzu
He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. Sun Tzu
To know your enemy, you must become your enemy. Sun Tzu
Never venture, never win! Sun Tzu
Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley. Sun Tzu
Plan for what it is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small. Sun Tzu
When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move. Sun Tzu
Every battle is won before it’s ever fought. Sun Tzu
So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak. Sun Tzu
Be where your enemy is not. Sun Tzu
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
Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will. Sun Tzu
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
If his forces are united, separate them. Sun Tzu
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
Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack. Sun Tzu
Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day. Sun Tzu
Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him. Sun Tzu
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
The wise warrior avoids the battle. Sun Tzu
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
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
Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster. Sun Tzu
To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting. Sun Tzu
If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame. But, if orders are clear and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their oficers. Sun Tzu
In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers. Sun Tzu
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
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
Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. Sun Tzu
The greatest victory is that which requires no battle. Sun Tzu
When your army has crossed the border, you should burn your boats and bridges, in order to make it clear to everybody that you have no hankering after home. Sun Tzu
Conform to the enemy’s tactics until a favorable opportunity offers; then come forth and engage in a battle that shall prove decisive. Sun Tzu
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
The worst calamities that befall an army arise from hesitation. Sun Tzu
If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. Sun Tzu
If there is disturbance in the camp, the general’s authority is weak. Sun Tzu
Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger. Sun tzu
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. Sun Tzu
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
Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can? Sun Tzu
If there is disturbance in the camp, the general’s authority is weak. Sun Tzu
The peak efficiency of knowledge and strategy is to make conflict unnecessary. Sun Tzu
Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories. Sun Tzu
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
Foreknowledge cannot be gotten from ghosts and spirits, cannot be had by analogy, cannot be found out by calculation. It must be obtained from people, people who know the conditions of the enemy. Sun Tzu
When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. Sun Tzu
Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home. Sun Tzu
If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. Sun Tzu
Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy’s purpose. Sun Tzu
If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril. Sun Tzu
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
The art of giving orders is not to try to rectify the minor blunders and not to be swayed by petty doubts. Sun Tzu
You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked. Sun Tzu
The line between disorder and order lies in logistics. Sun Tzu
Deep knowledge is to be aware of disturbance before disturbance, to be aware of danger before danger, to be aware of destruction before destruction, to be aware of calamity before calamity. Strong action is training the body without being burdened by the body, exercising the mind without being used by the mind, working in the world without being affected by the world, carrying out tasks without being obstructed by tasks. Sun Tzu
Leadership is a matter of intelligence, trustworthiness, humaneness, courage, and sternness. Sun Tzu