Sun Tzu quotes page 1

c. 544-496 BC, also known as Sun Wu or Sunzi, Chinese military general and philosopher,
author of The Art of War

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
Sun Tzu

A leader leads by example not by force.
Sun Tzu

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

If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him.
Sun Tzu

The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.
Sun Tzu

All warfare is based on deception.
Sun Tzu

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

Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.
Sun Tzu

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

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
Sun Tzu

What is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations.
Sun Tzu

Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.
Sun Tzu

Know yourself and you will win all battles.
Sun Tzu

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

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

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

Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.
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

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

When one treats people with benevolence, justice, and righteousness, and reposes
confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders.
Sun Tzu

Wheels of justice grind slow but grind fine.
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.
Sun Tzu

Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.
Sun Tzu

Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the
noise before defeat.
Sun Tzu

A sovereign should never launch an army out of anger, a leader should never start a war out
of wrath.
Sun Tzu

Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack.
Sun Tzu

If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.
Sun Tzu

Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness; travel by
unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions.
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

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