110+ Sun Tzu Quotes On Strategy, Motivation And War

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. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Sun Tzu on leadership, strategy, love.

Top 10 Sun Tzu Quotes

1. Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
2. The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
3. To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
4. Opportunities multiply when you seize them.
5. Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.
6. It is more important to outhink your enemy, than to outfight him
7. He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
8. In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
9. The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
10. 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 Image Quotes

Opportunities multiply when you seize them. — Sun Tzu

Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. — Sun Tzu

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

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

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

A leader leads by example not by force. — Sun Tzu

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

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

Sun Tzu Short Quotes

• The line between disorder and order lies in logistics.
• Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.
• Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.
• Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
• 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.
• There is no place where espionage is not possible.
• Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.
• If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.

Sun Tzu Quotes About Leadership

A leader leads by example not by force. — Sun Tzu

Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy — Sun Tzu

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

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

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

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

Sun Tzu Quotes About Strategy

Know the enemy and know yourself. — Sun Tzu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique. — Sun Tzu

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

Sun Tzu Quotes About War

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

He who knows his enemy and himself well will not be defeated easily. — 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

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

All war is based on deception. — Sun Tzu

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

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

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

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

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

Sun Tzu Quotes About Deception

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

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

All war is deception. — Sun Tzu

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

Sun Tzu Quotes About Enemy

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

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

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

First learn to become invincible, then wait for your enemy's moment of vulnerability. — Sun Tzu

To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy. — Sun Tzu

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. — Sun Tzu

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

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

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

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

Sun Tzu Quotes About Intelligence

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

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

There is an intelligent way to eat a live frog - I just don't know what it is. — Sun Tzu

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

Sun Tzu Quotes About Strategic

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

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

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

Sun Tzu Quotes About Wise

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sun Tzu Quotes About Victory

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sun Tzu Quotes About General

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

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

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

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

Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources. — 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 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

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

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

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

Sun Tzu Quotes About Battles

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

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

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

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

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

If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles. — Sun Tzu

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

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

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

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

Sun Tzu Quotes About Fighting

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

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

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

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

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

The skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting. — Sun Tzu

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

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

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

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

Sun Tzu Famous Quotes And Sayings

Opportunities multiply when you seize them. — Sun Tzu

Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. — Sun Tzu

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

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

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

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

A leader leads by example not by force. — Sun Tzu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! — Sun Tzu

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

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

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

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

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

Rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him — Sun Tzu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ponder and deliberate before you make a move. — Sun Tzu

Quickness is the essence of the war. — Sun Tzu

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

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

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

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

Life Lessons by Sun Tzu

1. 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.
2. Sun Tzu also believed that knowledge and wisdom are powerful weapons, and that one should never underestimate the power of knowledge and understanding.
3. 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.