Sun Tzu’s Quotes on the Art of War

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

Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. – Sun Tzu

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. – 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

The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities. – Sun Tzu

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

Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. – Sun Tzu

Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance. – Sun Tzu

Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across. – 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

Opportunities multiply as they are seized. – 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

The art of war is of vital importance to the State. – Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu’s Quotes on the Art of War part 2

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

Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley. – Sun Tzu

A wise ruler does not mobilize the army out of anger, a brave general does not provoke war out of wrath. – Sun Tzu

Concentrate your troops and starve the enemy into submission. – Sun Tzu

Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust. – Sun Tzu

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

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

If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for them. If they are in superior strength, evade them. – Sun Tzu

The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. – Sun Tzu

When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. – Sun Tzu

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

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

Be swift as the wind, silent as the forest, fierce as fire, and immovable as a mountain. – Sun Tzu

One may know how to conquer without being able to do it. – Sun Tzu

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

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

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

The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent. – 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. – Sun Tzu

A wise ruler does not reward excessive bravery and does not condone excessive anger. – 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 ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril. – Sun Tzu

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

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 thy enemy but not yourself, wallow in defeat every time. – 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

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

The energy of the warrior is to balance your internal and external worlds. – Sun Tzu