There was no greater war leader and strategist than this man. His philosophy on how to be a great leader in work, management, and life is summed up in these 50+ Sun Tzu quotes.
In the age of bloody civil war 2500 years ago a Chinese military commander, strategist, and philosopher emerged, his name Sun Tzu. After successfully protecting the state of Wu against its neighbor Chu to the west, a book formerly known as “Master Sun’s Military Methods” was formed which has later become known as The Art of War.
He wrote “The Art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account neglected.”
The art of war explains in detail how we must behave in battle and more importantly how to win. All quotes from Sun Tzu are derived from this “The Art of war” book, you can listen to the audiobook from this link.
Best Sun Tzu Quotes To Note Down
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
Who wishes to fight must first count the cost
Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.
In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.
There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.
Know yourself and you will win all battles.
Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.
Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.
When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.
Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.
When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.
Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.
If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; If you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.
5 dangerous faults to avoid”
- • Recklessness, which leads to destruction
- • Cowardice, which leads to capture
- • Hasty temper, which be provoked by insults
- • Delicacy of honor which is sensitive to shame
- • Over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him worry
Sun Tzu Leadership Quotes
Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.
What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins but excels in winning with ease.
The wise warrior avoids the battle.
Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.
If quick, I survive. If not quick, I am lost. This is death.
One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.
Move swift as the Wind and closely formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.
If you wait by the river long enough, the bodies of your enemies will float by.
Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm
Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the defensive.
Wheels of justice grind slow but grind fine
It is easy to love your friend, but sometimes the hardest lesson to learn is to love your enemy.
Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare, there are no constant conditions.
Every battle is won before it’s ever fought.
You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.
These are the quotes from a great philosopher and a great leader Sun Tzu – Comment down your favorite sun Tzu quotes and let us know how it affect your life.
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