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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Danger has a bracing effect.

All warfare is based on deception.

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

One hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the most skillful, subduing the other's military without battle is the most skillful.

It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war
that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.

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.

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.

A leader leads by example not by force.

No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.

Like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more.

If you are near the enemy, make him believe you are far from him.
If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are now

So long as victory can be attained, stupid haste is preferable to clever dilatoriness.

Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible; and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands.

Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength.

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.