Sun Tzu was a Chinese philosopher who lived in the 6th century BC. He is best known for his book 'The Art of War', which is still studied today as a guide to strategy and tactics. Sun Tzu's philosophy had a strong influence on Chinese and Asian military thinking, and his ideas are still used in modern business and government decision-making.
What is the most famous quote by Sun Tzu ?
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
— Sun Tzu
What can you learn from Sun Tzu (Life Lessons)
- Sun Tzu taught that one should always strive to be prepared and to have a plan in order to succeed. He believed that by understanding the strengths and weaknesses of both oneself and one's opponent, one can gain the upper hand and come out victorious.
- Sun Tzu also believed that knowledge and wisdom are powerful weapons, and that one should never underestimate the power of knowledge and understanding.
- Sun Tzu also taught that in order to win a conflict, one must be willing to be flexible and to adapt to changing circumstances. He believed that by understanding the situation and being able to adjust one's strategy accordingly, one can gain a decisive advantage.
The most fantastic Sun Tzu quotes to discover and learn by heart
Following is a list of the best Sun Tzu quotes, including various Sun Tzu inspirational quotes, and other famous sayings by Sun Tzu.
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
Opportunities multiply when you seize them.
In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.
It is more important to outhink your enemy, than to outfight him
He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
Who wishes to fight must first count the cost.
In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
Strategic quotes by Sun Tzu
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.
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively.
They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow.
The line between disorder and order lies in logistics.
Swift as the wind. Quiet as the forest. Conquer like the fire. Steady as the mountain
He who knows his enemy and himself well will not be defeated easily.
The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.
A leader leads by example not by force.
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.
Quotations by Sun Tzu that are insightful and wise
To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.
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.
Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.
Know the enemy and know yourself.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
All war is based on deception.
Act after having made assessments. The one who first knows the measure of far and near wins - this is the rule of armed struggle.
Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
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.
Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.
He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
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.
Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.
Pretend to be weak, so your enemy may grow arrogant.
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night.
Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm
The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.
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.
Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
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.
All warfare is based on deception. There is no place where espionage is not used. Offer the enemy bait to lure him.
First learn to become invincible, then wait for your enemy's moment of vulnerability.
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.
Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.
Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength.
Management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization.
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.