65 Sun Tzu Art of War Quotes That Will Teach You About Strategy to Success

1. "All warfare is based on deception."

2. "In war, practice dissimulation, and you will succeed."

3. "Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated."

4. "It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on."

5. "To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting."

6. "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 defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."

7. "The skillful soldier does not raise a second levy, neither are his supply-wagons loaded more than twice."

8. "Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing."

9. "If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant."

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

11. “Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.”

12. “The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.”

13. “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.”

14. “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.”

15. “There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.”

16. “If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.”

17. “When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.”

18. “When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.”

19. “So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.”

20. "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."

21. "We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors."

22. “mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy.”

23. “Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.”

24. “Quickness is the essence of the war.”

25. “Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.”

1. “Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.”

2. "The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand."

3. "The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success."

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

5. "Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.""

6. "All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved."

7. "The general who is skilled in defense hides in the most secret recesses of the earth; he who is skilled in attack flashes forth from the topmost heights of heaven."

8. “If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless.”

9. “There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general:

(1) Recklessness, which leads to destruction;

(2) cowardice, which leads to capture;

(3) a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults;

(4) a delicacy of honor which is sensitive to shame;

(5) over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble.”

10. “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.”

11. “Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day.”

12. “When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.”

13. “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.”

14. “If there is disturbance in the camp, the general’s authority is weak.”

15. “We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors.”

1. “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity”

2. “Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”

3. “Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”

4. “Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.”

5. “Who wishes to fight must first count the cost”

6. “The wise warrior avoids the battle.”

7. “If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.”

8. “He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.”

9. “Great results, can be achieved with small forces.”

10. Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.”

11. “Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the defensive.”

12. “Plan for what it is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.”

13. “Disorder came from order, fear came from courage, weakness came from strength.”

14. “Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.”

15. “One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.”

16. “If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.”

17. “Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”

18. “To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.”

19. “Never venture, never win!”

20. “It is easy to love your friend, but sometimes the hardest lesson to learn is to love your enemy.”

21. “Be where your enemy is not.”

22. “If you fight with all your might, there is a chance of life; whereas death is certain if you cling to your corner.”

23. “To know your enemy, you must become your enemy.”

24. “Whether in an advantageous position or a disadvantageous one, the opposite state should be always present to your mind.”

25. “By reinforcing every part, he weakens every part.”