Words matter. These are the best Sun Tzu Quotes, and they’re great for sharing with your friends.
When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.
Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack.
He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious.
Quickness is the essence of the war.
The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.
Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy.
The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
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.
Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.
He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.
If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.
A good commander is benevolent and unconcerned with fame.
There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited.
Balk the enemy’s power; force him to reveal himself.
There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.
Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.
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.
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.
To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.
He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
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.
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.
He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.
Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
If fighting is sure to result in victory, than you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler’s bidding.
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.
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.
Victory usually goes to the army who has better trained officers and men.
He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.