Sun Tzu was the author of The Art of War. A famous Chinese military general, strategist, writer and philosopher. Here are the wisest and most poignant Art of War quotes that you can use to strategist your next move in your life or career.
Art of War Quotes
“When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.” – Sun Tzu
“Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.” – Sun Tzu
“Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.” – Sun Tzu
“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.” – Sun Tzu
“Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.” – Sun Tzu
“Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.” – Sun Tzu
“Quickness is the essence of the war.” – Sun Tzu
“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.” – 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
“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” – 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
“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
“If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.” – 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
“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
“The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.” – Sun Tzu
“Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack.” – Sun Tzu
“To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.” – 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
“Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.” – 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
“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
“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.” – Sun Tzu
“The wise warrior avoids the battle.” – Sun Tzu
“A leader leads by example, not by force.” – Sun Tzu
“When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.” – Sun Tzu
“If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.” – 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
“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity” – 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
“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
“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.” – Sun Tzu
“It is easy to love your friend, but sometimes the hardest lesson to learn is to love your enemy.” – Sun Tzu
“Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day.” – 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
“There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.” – 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
“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.” – 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
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