Sun Tzu Quotes

Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.

Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.

It is more important to outhink your enemy, than to outfight him

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.

Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow.

Swift as the wind. Quiet as the forest. Conquer like the fire. Steady as the mountain

A leader leads by example not by force.

The line between disorder and order lies in logistics.

He who knows his enemy and himself well will not be defeated easily.

In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.

The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.

Know the enemy and know yourself.

The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.

Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price.

Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.

Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.

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

Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.

When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.

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.

Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise, for the result is waste of time and general stagnation.

All war is based on deception.

Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

One need not destroy one's enemy. One need only destroy his willingness to engage.

Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate.

If a battle can not be won do not fight it.

To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

Kill one, terrify a thousand.

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night.

When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum. When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing.

Correct your mistake as soon as you have found it.

Act after having made assessments. The one who first knows the measure of far and near wins - this is the rule of armed struggle.

Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack.

He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.

Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.

Pretend to be weak, so your enemy may grow arrogant.

Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm

To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.

One who speaks deferentially but increases his preparations will advance. One who speaks belligerently and advances hastily will retreat.

All wars are won or lost before they are ever fought.

The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.

Do not engage an enemy more powerful than you. And if it is unavoidable and you do have to engage, then make sure you engage it on your terms, not on your enemy's terms.

All warfare is based on deception. There is no place where espionage is not used. Offer the enemy bait to lure him.

If your enemy is superior, evade him

Opportunities increase as they are taken.

Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength.

Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy