Sun Tzu is one of the most well-known Chinese military strategists. His book, “The Art of War”, has been translated and studied by millions around the world for centuries. The Art of War is a 13th-century Chinese military treatise. It’s still relevant today because it teaches the best strategies for every possible situation and environment, from business to war.
The Art of War is a classic military treatise. It is one of the oldest books on warfare in existence. Written over two thousand years ago, it still holds valuable insight for those who are interested in war tactics today.
This book remains one of the most influential books on military strategy in the world. This blog post will share Some of Sun Tzu’s quotes from The Art of War that help you better understand the work.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu:
The Art of War by Sun Tzu, which discusses military strategy and tactics. It is about how to win wars without fighting them directly. It also covers espionage or spy which can be very useful information during wartime.
It was written over 2,500 years ago and has been read for centuries because of its timeless principles. The principles are still applied today, although it is difficult to know how much this may be due to familiarity with the work as opposed to an understanding of its practicality.
It was written as a guide to warfare for leaders who would not have had access to formal schooling. The work advises that victory can be attained through five basic methods: know yourself and your enemy; utilize spies well; make plans based on both quick calculations and long-term strategies; maintain strong positions with adequate supplies while weakening your opponent’s positions; avoid what is strong but attack what is weak. If you follow these guidelines, you will find success against any opposition!
60 Sun Tzu’s quotes from The Art of War:
01.
“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
02.
“Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
03.
“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.“
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
04.
“To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
05.
“There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
06.
“When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
07.
“Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
08.
“The wise warrior avoids the battle.“
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
09.
“The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
10.
“One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.“
— Sun Tzu, The Art of War
11.
“Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.“
— Sun Tzu, The Art of War
12.
“Great results, can be achieved with small forces.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
13.
“Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
14.
“Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
15.
“Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the defensive.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
16.
“If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
17.
“Never venture, never win!”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
18.
“If his forces are united, separate them.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
19.
“Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
20.
“Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.“
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
21.
“Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
22.
“Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy’s purpose.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
23.
“You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
24.
“The Art of War is self-explanatory.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
25.
“We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
26.
“Danger has a bracing effect.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
27.
“Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
28.
“Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
29.
“When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
30.
“The art of war is of vital importance to the State.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
31.
“Excessive rewards are a sign of desperation. Excessive punishments are a sign of exhaustion.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
32.
“The captured soldiers should be kindly treated and kept.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
33.
“Some people think insufficiency means weakness and surplus means strength, but this impression is wrong.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
34.
“There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
35.
“I have heard that the ancients used bows and arrows to their advantage.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
36.
“War is like a fire – if you do not put it out, it will burn itself out.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
37.
“There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
38.
“I have heard that the ancients used bows and arrows to their advantage.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
39.
“I have heard that in war haste can be folly, but have never seen delay that was wise.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
40.
“The only chance of life lies in giving up all hope of it.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
41.
“I pee in the toilets of my enemies, so that when they flush my pee comes out.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
42.
“Know the enemy, know yourself and victory is never in doubt, not in a hundred battles.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
43.
“Do not press a desperate enemy.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
44.
“If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
45.
“Those skilled in warfare move the enemy, and are not moved by the enemy.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
46.
“Every animal with blood in its veins and horns on its head will fight when it is attacked.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
47.
“War is like a fire – if you do not put it out, it will burn itself out.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
48.
“Practice dissimulation, and you will succeed.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
49.
“When you start a fire, be to windward of it. Do not attack from the leeward.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
50.
“Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight; do not attack soldiers whose temper is keen.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
51.
“The victorious army is victorious first and seeks battle later; the defeated army seeks battle first and seeks victory later.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
52.
“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
53.
“Would it be all right? Would it be all right to go ahead and feel? Go ahead and count on something.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
54.
“To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
55.
“He who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
56.
“Warfare is the Way of deception.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
57.
“In raiding and plundering be like fire, is immovability like a mountain.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
58.
“Every kingdom divided against itself is laid to waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
59.
“The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
60.
“Soldiers lose all fear when they lose all hope.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
5 Notable Translations of The Art of War
- Sun Tzu on the Art of War, Translator – Lionel Giles – 1910
- The Art of War, Translator – Samuel B. Griffith- 1963
- The Art of Warfare, Translator – Roger Ames – 1993
- The Art of War: Sunzi’s Military Methods, Translator – Victor H. Mair – 2007
- The Science of War: Sun Tzu’s Art of War re-translated and re-considered, Translator – Christopher MacDonald -2018
FAQs Related to Sun Tzu Quotes from The Art of War
1. When did Sun Tzu write the art of war?
5th century BC.
2. How many pages in Sun Tzu the art of war?
There are 288 pages in Sun Tzu’s The Art of War.
3. How many chapters in The Art of War?
The Art of War is divided into 13 chapters.
Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is a complete guide to waging war, but it also offers invaluable advice for other endeavors, including business negotiations. This Book so important is its relevance in modern times. What do you think after reading Sun Tzu The Art of War quotes? We would love to hear from you. Using the comment box, please share your thoughts!
See Also:
Sun Tzu Quotes On Strategy
Sun Tzu Leadership Quotes
Sun Tzu quotes on patience
Thomas Jefferson Quotes On Guns
Bob Marley Political Quotes
Mark Twain Political Quotes
