Sun Tzu Art of War Strategy Quotes

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

All warfare is based on deception.

In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.

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

The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

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

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.

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

Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness.

Quickness is the essence of the war.

Move swift as the wind and closely-formed as the wood.

The wise warrior avoids the battle.

Know yourself and you will win all battles.

Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.

When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

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

Plan for what is difficult while it is easy.

Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.

To know your enemy, you must become your enemy.

Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern.

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.

Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.

To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence.

Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy will be fresh for the fight.

A leader leads by example, not by force.

Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear.

Wheels of justice grind slow but grind fine.

There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.