Sun Tzu Quotes

Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.

Sun Tzu 


All war is based on deception.
Sun Tzu


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


If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.
Sun Tzu


All warfare is based on deception.
Sun Tzu 


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


The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.
Sun Tzu 


There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited.
Sun Tzu


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


It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you. Give them instructions and care for them. Thus doubled agents are recruited and used.
Sun Tzu 


To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.
Sun Tzu 


Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.
Sun Tzu


For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards.
Sun Tzu 


Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.
Sun Tzu


When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.
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 


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


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.
Sun Tzu 


Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge.
Sun Tzu 


It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.
Sun Tzu


Of all those in the army close to the commander none is more intimate than the secret agent; of all rewards none more liberal than those given to secret agents; of all matters none is more confidential than those relating to secret operations.
Sun Tzu 


Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and you know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you now Heaven and you know Earth, you may make your victory complete.
Sun Tzu 


If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.
Sun Tzu


If fighting is sure to result in victory, than you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding.
Sun Tzu



If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.
Sun Tzu