Sun Tzu Quotes that Transcend Centuries and Transform Strategy
Sun Tzu Quotes are the wisdom and strategies of Sun Tzu, that lived throughout time. He was a brilliant Chinese military strategist born around 544 BC.
In addition to military strategy, Sun Tzu’s timeless legacy informs modern leadership and business expertise. His words of wisdom provide guidance for navigating life’s challenges.
I have collected some of the most famous Sun Tzu Quotes that offer remarkable insight.
Contents
Sun Tzu Quotes
Here are some historical Sun Tzu Quotes for you.
“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”
― Sun Tzu
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
― Sun Tzu
“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”
― Sun Tzu
“If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.”
― Sun Tzu
“He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.”
― Sun Tzu
“Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.”
― Sun Tzu
“Great results can be achieved with small forces.”
― Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu Famous Quotes
Here are some Sun Tzu Famous Quotes for you.
“He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.”
― Sun Tzu
“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”
― Sun Tzu
“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”
― Sun Tzu
“Quickness is the essence of the war.”
― Sun Tzu
“Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.”
― Sun Tzu
“There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.”
― Sun Tzu
“Who wishes to fight must first count the cost.”
― Sun Tzu
“You have to believe in yourself.”
― Sun Tzu
“Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.”
― Sun Tzu
“One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.”
― Sun Tzu
“The wise warrior avoids the battle.”
― Sun Tzu
“The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.”
― Sun Tzu
“One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all.”
― Sun Tzu
“If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.”
― Sun Tzu
“He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.”
― Sun Tzu
Best Bunch From “The Art Of War”
Here are some of the best Sun Tzu Quotes from “The Art Of War”.
“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”
― Sun Tzu, (The Art of War)
“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)
“Be where your enemy is not.”
― Sun Tzu, (The Art of War)
” Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.”
― Sun Tzu, (The Art of War)
“Plan for what it is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.”
― Sun Tzu, (The Art of War)
“The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.”
― Sun Tzu, (The Art of War)
“If you fight with all your might, there is a chance of life; where as death is certain if you cling to your corner.”
― Sun Tzu, (The Art of War)
“Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home.”
― Sun Tzu, (The Art of War)
Sun Tzu Leadership Quotes
Here are some Sun Tzu Leadership Quotes for you.
“We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors.”
― Sun Tzu
“When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.”
― Sun Tzu
“The worst calamities that befall an army arise from hesitation.”
― Sun Tzu
“Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.”
― Sun Tzu
“Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.”
― Sun Tzu
“Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day.”
― Sun Tzu
“Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.”
― Sun Tzu
When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.
― Sun Tzu
Know yourself and you will win all battles.
― 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
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
― Sun Tzu
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.
― Sun Tzu
There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.
― Sun Tzu
The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.
― Sun Tzu
Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.
― Sun Tzu
Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.
― Sun Tzu
All warfare is based on deception.
― Sun Tzu
When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.
― Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu Quotes On Strategy
Here are some Sun Tzu Quotes On Strategy for you.
“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”
― Sun Tzu
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat
― Sun Tzu
“Attack the enemy’s strategy.”
― Sun Tzu
The highest form of generalship is to conquer the enemy by strategy.“
― Sun Tzu
“The peak efficiency of knowledge and strategy is to make conflict unnecessary.”
― Sun Tzu
The peak efficiency of knowledge and strategy is to make conflict unnecessary
― Sun Tzu
“All warfare is based on deception. Therefore, when capable, feign incapacity; when active, inactivity.”
― Sun Tzu
“If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.”
― Sun Tzu
“Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy; forceful execution of even a poor plan can often bring victory.”
― Sun Tzu
Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy; forceful execution of even a poor plan can often bring victory
― Sun Tzu
“All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.”
― Sun Tzu
“The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.”
― Sun Tzu
“Supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy.“
— Sun Tzu
Supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy
― Sun Tzu
“Defeat the enemies strategy.”
— Sun Tzu
“The rules of strategy are few and simple.”
― Sun Tzu
“If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
― Sun Tzu
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
― Sun Tzu
“Never venture, never win!”
― Sun Tzu
“The height of strategy is to attack your opponent’s strategy.”
― Sun Tzu
“The best military policy is to attack strategies; the next to attack alliances; the next to attack soldiers.”
― Sun Tzu
“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
― Sun Tzu
“The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.”
― Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu Quotes “Know Your Enemy”
Here is the Sun Tzu Quote “Know Your Enemy” for you.
Know the enemy and know yourself in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.
― Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu Quotes On Death
Here are some Sun Tzu Quotes On Death for you.
“If quick, I survive. If not quick, I am lost. This is death.”
― Sun Tzu
“If you fight with all your might, there is a chance of life; where as death is certain if you cling to your corner.”
― Sun Tzu
Summing Up
In his book “The Art of War,” Sun Tzu reveals a philosophy that goes beyond battlefield tactics.
To demonstrate a clear understanding of the power of strategy, he focuses on understanding the opponent, using reasoning over force, and precise planning.
It is the ability to turn centuries of strategic wisdom into simple and timeless gems that make Sun Tzu’s quotes so brilliant. His words guide leadership, decision-making, and personal development as well as the battlefield.

Muhammad Faisal Kiani is an expert SEO Copywriter, Content Analyst, Strategist, and career counselor. He is enriched by the dynamic experience of 26 years in sales & marketing, management, recruiting, content creation, and career counseling. He is currently working as The Director Operations at Benison Marketing (Pvt.) Ltd.— A real estate consulting and property advising company.
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