Sun Tzu Quotes

206 Sourced Quotes

One who speaks deferentially but increases his preparations will advance. One who speaks belligerently and advances hastily will retreat.

Sun Tzu
For the wise man delights in establishing his merit, the brave man likes to show his courage in action, the covetous man is quick at seizing advantages, and the stupid man has no fear of death.

Sun Tzu
He who relies solely on warlike measures shall be exterminated; he who relies solely on peaceful measures shall perish.

Sun Tzu
To maintain an army at a distance causes the people to be impoverished.

Sun Tzu
The leader of armies is the arbiter of the people's fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril.

Sun Tzu
If you fight with all your might, there is a chance of life; where as death is certain if you cling to your corner

Sun Tzu
Therefore the victories of good warriors are not noted for cleverness or bravery. Therefore their victories in battle are not flukes. Their victories are not flukes because they position themselves where they will surely win, prevailing over those wh.

Sun Tzu
In warfare, first lay plans which will ensure victory, and then lead your army to battle; if you will not begin with stratagem but rely on brute strength alone, victory will no longer be assured.

Sun Tzu
Set the troops to their tasks without imparting your designs.

Sun Tzu
The peak efficiency of knowledge and strategy is to make conflict unnecessary.

Sun Tzu
The control of large numbers is possible, and like unto that of small numbers, if we subdivide them.

Sun Tzu
He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.

Sun Tzu
Getting people to fight by letting the force of momentum work is like rolling logs and rocks. Logs and rocks are still when in a secure place, but roll on an incline; they remain stationary if square, they roll if round. Therefore, when people are skillfully led into battle, the momentum is like that of round rocks rolling down a high mountain -- this is force.

Sun Tzu
When you do battle, even if you are winning, if you continue for a long time it will dull your forces and blunt you edge...If you keep your armies out in the field for a long time, your supplies will be insufficient. Transportation of provisions itself consumes 20 times the amount transported.

Sun Tzu
Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.

Sun Tzu
Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.

Sun Tzu
There are routes not to be followed, armies not to be attacked, citadels not to be besieged, territory not to be fought over.

Sun Tzu
In the tumult and uproar, the battle seems chaotic, but there is no disorder, the troops appear to be milling about in circles but cannot be defeated.

Sun Tzu
Apparent confusion is a product of good order; apparent cowardice, of courage; apparent weakness, of strength.

Sun Tzu
It is through the dispositions of an army that its condition may be discovered. Conceal your dispositions, and your condition will remain secret, which leads to victory,; show your dispositions, and your condition will become patent, which leads to defeat.

Sun Tzu
Those who do not know the plans of competitors cannot prepare alliances. Those who do not know the lay of the land cannot maneuver their forces. Those who do not use local guides cannot take advantage of the ground.

Sun Tzu
If you follow the enemy's shifts and changes, you can always find a way to win.

Sun Tzu
Someone unfamiliar with the mountains and forests cannot advance [the team]. One who does not employ local guides cannot gain the advantage.

Sun Tzu
So a military force has no constant formation, water has no constant shape: the ability to gain victory by changing and adapting according to the opponent is called genius.

Sun Tzu
The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming.

Sun Tzu
He who is not sage and wise, humane and just, cannot use secret agent.s. And he who is not delicate and subtle cannot get the truth out of them.

Sun Tzu