Sun Tzu Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old Sun Tzu quotes, Sun Tzu sayings, and Sun Tzu proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.'

If fighting is sure to result in victory, then 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
When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. 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
Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment, that which they cannot anticipate. Sun Tzu
In desperate position, you must fight. Sun Tzu
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat. Sun Tzu
In desperate position, you must fight Sun Tzu
To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill. Sun Tzu
Thus the skilful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand. Sun Tzu
These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand. Sun Tzu
Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions. Sun Tzu
If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Sun-tzu
Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances. Sun Tzu
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. Sun Tzu
Plan for what it is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small. Sun Tzu
Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength. Sun Tzu
Being unconquerable lies with yourself; being conquerable lies with your enemy. Sun Tzu
To not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues. Sun Tzu
A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life. Sun Tzu
Confront them with annihilation, and they will then survive; plunge them into a deadly situation, and they will then live. When people fall into danger, they are then able to strive for victory. Sun Tzu
Ponder and deliberate before you make your move. He will conquer who has learned the artifice of deviation. Such is the art of maneuvering. Sun Tzu
Ponder and deliberate before you make a move. Sun Tzu
Fierce language and pretentious advances are signs that the enemy is about to retreat. Sun Tzu
Great results, can be achieved with small forces. Sun Tzu
Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day. Sun Tzu
Don't flail against the world, use it. Flexibility is the operative principle in the art of war. Sun Tzu
To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. Sun Tzu
Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical. Sun Tzu
In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. Sun Tzu
The end and aim of spying in all its five varieties is knowledge of the enemy; and this knowledge can only be derived, in the first instance, from the converted spy. Hence it is essential that the converted spy be treated with the utmost liberality. Sun Tzu