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

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Great results, can be achieved with small forces.

Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

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

Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.

Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm

"If quick, I survive.
If not quick, I am lost.
This is "death.

Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.

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.

He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight

Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.

Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the defensive.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the
opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

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.

mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy

It is easy to love your friend, but sometimes the hardest lesson to learn is to love your enemy.