100 Top & Most Popular Sun Tzu Quotes

About Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu, an ancient Chinese military strategist and philosopher, authored “The Art of War,” a timeless treatise on strategy, warfare, and leadership. His wisdom transcends military applications and offers profound insights into various aspects of life and leadership. This compilation presents Sun Tzu’s top 100 quotes categorized by different topics, providing valuable lessons and timeless wisdom.

100 Top Quotes by Sun Tzu in English

Here are 100 top and popular quotes by Sun Tzu, organized by various topics:

Sun Tzu Quotes on Strategy

Sun Tzu’s strategic wisdom is renowned for its depth and practicality. These quotes reflect his insights on effective strategy.

“All warfare is based on deception.” – Sun Tzu

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

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

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

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

“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him.” – Sun Tzu

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

“Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.” – Sun Tzu

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

“Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate.” – Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu Quotes about Leadership

Leadership is a critical theme in Sun Tzu’s teachings. These quotes highlight his perspectives on effective leadership.

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

“He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.” – Sun Tzu

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

“When the leader is morally weak and his discipline not strict, when there are no consistent rules, neighboring rulers will take advantage of this.” – Sun Tzu

“If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.” – Sun Tzu

“Leadership is a matter of intelligence, trustworthiness, humaneness, courage, and sternness.” – Sun Tzu

“When your orders are consistently followed to the letter, the soldiers are accustomed to following the commander.” – Sun Tzu

“A wise leader risks little but will win much.” – Sun Tzu

“The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.” – Sun Tzu

“The commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage, and strictness.” – Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu Quotes for Success

Sun Tzu’s teachings extend beyond warfare, offering guidance on achieving success in various endeavors.

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

“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.” – Sun Tzu

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

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

“Move swift as the wind and closely-formed as the wood. Attack like the fire and be still as the mountain.” – Sun Tzu

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

“If you wait by the river long enough, the bodies of your enemies will float by.” – Sun Tzu

“To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.” – Sun Tzu

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

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

Sun Tzu Quotes on War

War and its principles are central to Sun Tzu’s philosophy. These quotes provide profound insights into the nature and conduct of war.

“The art of war is of vital importance to the State.” – Sun Tzu

“When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men’s weapons will grow dull and their ardor will be damped.” – Sun Tzu

“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 skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible, and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy.” – Sun Tzu

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

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

“In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.” – Sun Tzu

“The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach.” – Sun Tzu

“Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.” – Sun Tzu

“The expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him.” – Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu Quotes on Planning

Planning and preparation are crucial elements in Sun Tzu’s teachings. These quotes emphasize the importance of thorough planning.

“The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought.” – Sun Tzu

“All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.” – Sun Tzu

“He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.” – Sun Tzu

“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

“A wise general makes a point of foraging of the enemy.” – Sun Tzu

“There are not more than five primary colors, yet in combination, they produce more hues than can ever be seen.” – Sun Tzu

“Plan all the way to the end.” – Sun Tzu

“He who wishes to fight must first count the cost.” – Sun Tzu

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

“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” – Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu Quotes on Strength and Weakness

Understanding and leveraging strengths and weaknesses is a recurring theme in Sun Tzu’s work. These quotes delve into this concept.

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

“He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious.” – Sun Tzu

“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.” – Sun Tzu

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

“Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.” – Sun Tzu

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” – Sun Tzu

“Know yourself and you will win all battles.” – Sun Tzu

“He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious.” – Sun Tzu

“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.” – Sun Tzu

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

Sun Tzu Quotes on Adaptability

Adaptability and flexibility are essential for success in Sun Tzu’s philosophy. These quotes highlight the importance of adapting to changing circumstances.

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

“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

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

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

“If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.” – Sun Tzu

“Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.” – Sun Tzu

“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

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

“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

“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

Sun Tzu Quotes on Knowledge and Wisdom

Knowledge and wisdom are vital in Sun Tzu’s teachings. These quotes emphasize the importance of understanding and insight.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” – Sun Tzu

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

“Know yourself and you will win all battles.” – Sun Tzu

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

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

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

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

“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” – Sun Tzu

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

“All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.” – Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu Quotes on Discipline and Control

Discipline and control are crucial for success according to Sun Tzu. These quotes highlight the significance of maintaining discipline.

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

“He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.” – Sun Tzu

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

“When the leader is morally weak and his discipline not strict, when there are no consistent rules, neighboring rulers will take advantage of this.” – Sun Tzu

“If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.” – Sun Tzu

“Leadership is a matter of intelligence, trustworthiness, humaneness, courage, and sternness.” – Sun Tzu

“When your orders are consistently followed to the letter, the soldiers are accustomed to following the commander.” – Sun Tzu

“A wise leader risks little but will win much.” – Sun Tzu

“The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.” – Sun Tzu

“The commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage, and strictness.” – Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu Quotes on Preparation

Preparation is a key theme in Sun Tzu’s teachings. These quotes emphasize the importance of being well-prepared.

“The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought.” – Sun Tzu

“All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.” – Sun Tzu

“He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.” – Sun Tzu

“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

“A wise general makes a point of foraging of the enemy.” – Sun Tzu

“There are not more than five primary colors, yet in combination, they produce more hues than can ever be seen.” – Sun Tzu

“Plan all the way to the end.” – Sun Tzu

“He who wishes to fight must first count the cost.” – Sun Tzu

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

“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” – Sun Tzu

Conclusion

Sun Tzu’s wisdom, captured in “The Art of War,” offers timeless insights into strategy, leadership, and success. His teachings extend beyond the battlefield, providing valuable lessons for all aspects of life.

FAQs:

1. What is Sun Tzu’s most famous quote?

One of Sun Tzu’s most famous quotes is: “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”

2. What did Sun Tzu say about knowing the enemy?

Sun Tzu emphasized, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”

3. How did Sun Tzu view victory?

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

4. What was Sun Tzu’s philosophy on leadership?

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

5. What did Sun Tzu say about strategy and tactics?

Sun Tzu explained, “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”