50 Best Sun Tzu Quotes from ‘The Art of War’

I really hope that you will enjoy reading this collection of the best Sun Tzu quotes from ‘The Art of War’.

Legend has it that Sun Tzu was a Chinese military strategist and general in a time known as the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 bce).

During this turbulent time, Sun Tzu’s skills as a military strategist were in high demand.

Sun Tzu captured his theories about war in a book called ‘The Art of War’. This small book has became one of the most popular books written abut conflict strategy.

The timeless wisdom contained in the following Sun Tzu Quotes can be useful everywhere from the boardroom to the sports field.

 

Best Sun Tzu Quotes

1. “He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.” – Sun Tzu

 

2. “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” – Sun Tzu

 

3. “Quickness is the essence of the war.” – Sun Tzu

 

4. “The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.” – Sun Tzu

 

 

5. “Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.” – Sun Tzu Quote

 

6. “There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.” – Sun Tzu

 

7. “One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all.” – Sun Tzu

 

8. “Every battle is won before it is fought.” – Sun Tzu

 

 

9. “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

 

Sun Tzu Quotes Art of War

10. “Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.” – Sun Tzu

 

11. “Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.” – Sun Tzu

 

12. “Great results can be achieved with small forces.” – Sun Tzu

 

 

13. “Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.” – Sun Tzu Quote

 

14. “The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.” – Sun Tzu

 

15. “Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.” – Sun Tzu

 

16. “The wise warrior avoids the battle.” – Sun Tzu

 

 

17. “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” – Sun Tzu

 

18. “When one treats people with benevolence, justice, and righteousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders.” – Sun Tzu

 

19. “It is easy to love your friend, but sometimes the hardest lesson to learn is to love your enemy.” – Sun Tzu

 

The Art of War Quotes

20. “It is more important to out-think your enemy than to outfight him.” – Sun Tzu

 

 

21. “In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack: The direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers.” – Sun Tzu

 

22. “The worst calamities that befall an army arise from hesitation.” – Sun Tzu

 

23. “Who wishes to fight must first count the cost.” – Sun Tzu Quote

 

24. “Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.” – Sun Tzu

 

 

25. “Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm.” – Sun Tzu

 

26. “If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” – Sun Tzu

 

27. “To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.” – Sun Tzu

 

28. “Plan for what it is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.” – Sun Tzu

 

 

29. “Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home.” – Sun Tzu

 

Sun Tzu Quotes

30. “Never venture, never win!” – Sun Tzu

 

31. “What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.” – Sun Tzu

 

32. “Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.” – Sun Tzu

 

 

33. “The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.” – Sun Tzu

 

34. “Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.” – Sun Tzu Quote

 

35. “Know the enemy, know yourself and victory is never in doubt, not in a hundred battles.” – Sun Tzu

 
36. “A leader leads by example, not by force.” – Sun Tzu

 

 

37. “There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.” – Sun Tzu

 

38. “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.” – Sun Tzu

 

39. “Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: (1) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight; (2) He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces; (3) He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks; (4) He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared; (5) He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.” – Sun Tzu

 

Art of War Sun Tzu Quotes

40. “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” – Sun Tzu

 

 

41. “Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.” – Sun Tzu

 

42. “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

 

43. “So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.” – Sun Tzu

 

44. “All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.” – Sun Tzu

 

45. “When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.” – Sun Tzu

 

46. “To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.” – Sun Tzu

 

47. “Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm.” – Sun Tzu

 

48. “Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.” – Sun Tzu Quote

 

49. “It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.” – Sun Tzu

 

50. “We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors.” – Sun Tzu

 

I hope that you enjoyed reading this collection of Sun Tzu Quotes From ‘The Art of War‘.

The above Sun Tzu Quotes provide valuable insights into the importance of adapting to changing circumstances, understanding your opponent, and having a clear plan of action to achieve your goals.

While the book was originally intended for military leaders, ‘The Art of War’ has found widespread popularity in business, politics, sports and even relationships.

In summary, ‘The Art of War’ remains a very influential book that continues to resonate with readers from all over the world.