You don’t need to be a four-star general to appreciate these Sun Tzu quotes from his monumental work on warfare. Show
Mysia Haight December 9, 2020 Written as a war treatise in the 5th century BC, The Art of War by Sun Tzu may not seem relevant to life in the 21st century at first glance. However, once you start to read Sun Tzu’s words, you may realize that they have very real applications to modern life, especially if you are in a position of leadership or if you deal regularly with strategic questions. These musings can be applied to practical problems you may be trying to solve, and they can also be good starting points for more theoretical reflection. Spanning topics from philosophy and wisdom to strategy and leadership, here are the most notable quotes from The Art of War. Quotes on the Philosophy of War and WarriorsBefore sharing Sun Tzu’s more practical knowledge regarding leadership and strategy, it is useful to look at how warfare and fighting can be seen as metaphors for our lives today. Some of Sun Tzu’s philosophical quotes can help us make such connections. 1. “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.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 2. “All warfare is based on deception.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 3. “It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 4. “The skillful soldier does not raise a second levy, neither are his supply-wagons loaded more than twice.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 5. “To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 6. “He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.”– Sun Tzu, The Art of War 7. “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.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 8. “What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 9. “Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 10. “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.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 11. “Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 12. “Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of the trigger.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 13. “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.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 14. “If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 15. “In war, practice dissimulation, and you will succeed.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 16. “If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 17. “We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 18. “The experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 19. “If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War Quotes on War and LeadershipIt is clear throughout The Art of War that victory is explicitly related to the strength of an army’s leader. Sun Tzu’s advice for generals and commanders applies to many kinds of leaders. 20. “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.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 21. “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.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 22. “The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 23. “Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 24. “Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 25. “The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War
27. “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, The Art of War 28. “He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 29. “The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 30. “Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 31. “We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country—its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 32. “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.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 33. “No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 34. “What enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 35. “When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixed duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 36. “If fighting is sure to result in victory, then 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.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 37. “Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 38. “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, The Art of War 39. “A leader leads by example not by force.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War Quotes on War and StrategyJust like Sun Tzu’s ideas about leadership, his strategic counsel can still be used in the 21st century. Whether you are creating a business strategy or devising steps to pursue a personal goal, these quotes from The Art of War may offer some valuable insights and guidance. 40. “Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 41. “If equally matched, we can offer battle; if slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy; if quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 42. “Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 43. “The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 44. “The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 45. “You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 46. “O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible; and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 47. “Numerical weakness comes from having to prepare against possible attacks; numerical strength, from compelling our adversary to make these preparations against us.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War
49. “In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain is to conceal them.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 50. “Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 51. “To take a long and circuitous route, after enticing the enemy out of the way, and though starting after him, to contrive to reach the goal before him, shows knowledge of the artifice of deviation.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 52. “Let your rapidity be that of the wind, your compactness that of the forest.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 53. “In raiding and plundering be like fire, in immovability like a mountain.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 54. “Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 55. “Forestall your opponent by seizing what he holds dear, and subtly contrive to time his arrival on the ground.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 56. “Walk in the path defined by rule, and accommodate yourself to the enemy until you can fight a decisive battle.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 57. “At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 58. “If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 59. “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.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War 60. “Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.” Sun Tzu, The Art of War Tags
Up Next40+ Quotes from 'The Alchemist' to Inspire Your Personal LegendInspire your personal legend with these 40 quotes from Paulo Coelho's timeless novel about love, adventure, and dreams.What is the most famous quote from The Art of War?“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.
What did Sun Tzu actually say?Sun Tzu said: The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. 2. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
What are 5 famous quotes?Quotes by Famous People. The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. - ... . The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. - ... . Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. ... . If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor. -. What is the famous line of Lao Tzu?He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty. Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses. He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.
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