50 Sun Tzu Quotes – His Wisest Words Ever!
Looking for the best Sun Tzu quotes? These 50 epic Sun Tzu quotes will show you what true wisdom is all about.
Hey my friend,
Let’s chat about Sun Tzu quotes.
The following quotes from Sun Tzu will definitely make you think and expand your mind.
These Sun Tzu quotes will also give you a different perspective on life.
Let me share with you the very best Sun Tzu quotes.
So without further ado, here are the 50 Sun Tzu quotes – embrace these and enjoy!
SUN TZU QUOTES
1 – He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. Sun Tzu
2 – If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbids it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler’s bidding. Sun Tzu
3 – There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare. Sun Tzu
4 – In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity. Sun Tzu
5 – Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger. Sun Tzu
6 – Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm. Sun Tzu
7- When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move. Sun Tzu
8 – 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
9 – When your army has crossed the border, you should burn your boats and bridges, in order to make it clear to everybody that you have no hankering after home. Sun Tzu
10 – 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
SUN TZU QUOTES
11 – Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will. Sun Tzu
12 – To know your enemy, you must become your enemy. Sun Tzu
13 – To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting. Sun Tzu
14 – 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
15 – If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame. But, if orders are clear and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers. Sun Tzu
16 – Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day.
17- So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak. Sun Tzu
18 – Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. Sun Tzu
19 – Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. Sun Tzu
20 – When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise. Sun Tzu
SUN TZU QUOTES
21 – Who wishes to fight must first count the cost. Sun Tzu
22 – Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him. Sun Tzu
23 – The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. Sun Tzu
24 – When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard. Sun Tzu
25 – The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent. Sun Tzu
26 – All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem 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
27- Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across. Sun Tzu
28 – 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
29 – For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards. Sun Tzu
30 – He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. Sun Tzu
SUN TZU QUOTES
31 – Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirm 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
32 – 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
33 – Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory:
(1) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight;
(2) he will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces;
(3) he will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks;
(4) he will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared;
(5) he will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign. Sun Tzu
34 – 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
35 – Never venture, never win! Sun Tzu
36 – Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home. Sun Tzu
37- Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust. Sun Tzu
38 – The greatest victory is that which requires no battle. Sun Tzu
39 – Ponder and deliberate before you make a move. Sun Tzu
40 – 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
SUN TZU QUOTES
41 – There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.
There are not more than five primary colors, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations of them yield more flavors than can ever be tasted. Sun Tzu
42 – Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can? Sun Tzu
43 – Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt. Sun Tzu
44 – If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things. Sun Tzu
45 – Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win. Sun Tzu
46 – 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. Sun Tzu
47- The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent. Sun Tzu
48 – 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 achieve great results. Sun Tzu
49 – One may know how to conquer without being able to do it. Sun Tzu
50 – Know thyself, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories. Sun Tzu
BONUS: If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak. Sun Tzu
BONUS: 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
Much love,
Frances Vidakovic
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I’m Frances Vidakovic – a mindset & action coach for quietly ambitious women who want to stop overthinking and finally take aligned action. I help women achieve their goals and follow through on what matters, without sacrificing their sanity or soul.