Sun Tzu Quotes

6th century BCE Chinese general and military strategist

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Sun Tzu (孫子 Sūn Zǐ; c. 6th century BC) was a Chinese general, military strategist, and philosopher who lived in the Eastern Zhou period of ancient China. Sun Tzu is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, a widely influential work of military strategy that has affected both Western and East Asian philosophy and military thinking. He is also known as Sun Wu (孫武; Sūn Wǔ), and Chang Qing (長卿; Cháng Qīng).

From: Wikiquote (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Native Name: 孫子

Alternative Names: Sun Wu • Suentzyy • Suen Tzyy

From Wikidata (CC0)

To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.

In difficult ground, press on; In encircled ground, devise stratagems; In death ground, fight.

Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

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

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

Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.

These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.

He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.

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.

Thus, what enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge.

Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.

He wins his battles by making no mistakes.
Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.

For should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will weaken his van; should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right; should he strengthen his right, he will weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.

The art of war recognises nine varieties of ground: (1) Dispersive ground; (2) facile ground; (3) contentious ground; (4) open ground; (5) ground of intersecting highways; (6) serious ground; (7) difficult ground; (8) hemmed-in ground; (9) desperate ground.