Sun Tzu Quotes: 250 Powerful Lines on Strategy, War and Leadership

Sun Tzu, the legendary Chinese strategist of the 6th century BC, wrote The Art of War — a short book that has shaped generals, CEOs, and leaders for over two thousand years. This collection of sun tzu quotes gathers 250 of his most powerful lines on strategy, leadership, preparation, and victory, each checked for honest attribution so you always know which lines come straight from The Art of War and which are famous sayings attributed to him.

Whether you need sun tzu quotes for a business presentation, a leadership speech, an essay, or a moment of personal strategy, you will find lines here that reward reading twice. Copy your favorites and carry ancient wisdom into your modern battles.

Editor’s Picks: The Best Sun Tzu Quotes

Know Yourself, Know Your Enemy

1. “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” — Sun Tzu
2. “If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.” — Sun Tzu
3. “If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” — Sun Tzu
4. “Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt.” — Sun Tzu
5. “It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him.” — Sun Tzu
6. “If five to one, to attack him.” — Sun Tzu
7. “If twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.” — Sun Tzu
8. “If equally matched, we can offer battle.” — Sun Tzu
9. “If slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy.” — Sun Tzu
10. “If quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him.” — Sun Tzu
11. “Though the enemy be stronger in numbers, we may prevent him from fighting.” — Sun Tzu
12. “Scheme so as to discover his plans and the likelihood of their success.” — Sun Tzu
13. “Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity.” — Sun Tzu
14. “Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.” — Sun Tzu
15. “Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient.” — Sun Tzu
16. “If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely traced out on the ground.” — Sun Tzu
17. “If our troops are no more in number than the enemy, that is amply sufficient; it only means that no direct attack can be made.” — Sun Tzu
18. “What we can do is simply to concentrate all our available strength, keep a close watch upon the enemy, and obtain reinforcements.” — Sun Tzu

The Supreme Art: Victory Without Fighting

1. “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” — Sun Tzu
2. “Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.” — Sun Tzu
3. “The skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.” — Sun Tzu
4. “With his forces intact he will dispute the mastery of the Empire, and thus, without losing a man, his triumph will be complete.” — Sun Tzu
5. “This is the method of attacking by stratagem.” — Sun Tzu
6. “In war, the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won.” — Sun Tzu
7. “Whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.” — Sun Tzu
8. “Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans.” — Sun Tzu
9. “The next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces.” — Sun Tzu
10. “The next in order is to attack the enemy's army in the field.” — Sun Tzu
11. “And the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.” — Sun Tzu
12. “The rule is, not to besiege walled cities if it can possibly be avoided.” — Sun Tzu
13. “The preparation of mantlets, movable shelters, and various implements of war, will take up three whole months.” — Sun Tzu
14. “And the piling up of mounds over against the walls will take three months more.” — Sun Tzu
15. “The general, unable to control his irritation, will launch his men to the assault like swarming ants, with the result that one-third of his men are slain.” — Sun Tzu
16. “While the town still remains untaken.” — Sun Tzu
17. “Such are the disastrous effects of a siege.” — Sun Tzu
18. “The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.” — Attributed to Sun Tzu

Strategy and Grand Design

1. “The art of war is of vital importance to the State.” — Sun Tzu
2. “It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin.” — Sun Tzu
3. “Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.” — Sun Tzu
4. “The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one's deliberations.” — Sun Tzu
5. “These are: the Moral Law; Heaven; Earth; the Commander; Method and discipline.” — Sun Tzu
6. “The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.” — Sun Tzu
7. “Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.” — Sun Tzu
8. “Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.” — Sun Tzu
9. “Thus it may be known that the leader of armies is the arbiter of the people's fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril.” — Sun Tzu
10. “The general who thoroughly understands the advantages that accompany variation of tactics knows how to handle his troops.” — Sun Tzu
11. “All these five heads of warfare must be thoroughly known by every general.” — Sun Tzu
12. “The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought.” — Sun Tzu
13. “The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand.” — Sun Tzu
14. “Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat.” — Sun Tzu
15. “How much more no calculation at all!” — Sun Tzu
16. “It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.” — Sun Tzu
17. “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” — Sun Tzu
18. “Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.” — Sun Tzu

Deception: The Soul of Warfare

1. “All warfare is based on deception.” — Sun Tzu
2. “Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable.” — Sun Tzu
3. “When using our forces, we must seem inactive.” — Sun Tzu
4. “When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away.” — Sun Tzu
5. “When far away, we must make him believe we are near.” — Sun Tzu
6. “Hold out baits to entice the enemy.” — Sun Tzu
7. “Feign disorder, and crush him.” — Sun Tzu
8. “If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him.” — Sun Tzu
9. “If he is in superior strength, evade him.” — Sun Tzu
10. “If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him.” — Sun Tzu
11. “Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.” — Sun Tzu
12. “If he is taking his ease, give him no rest.” — Sun Tzu
13. “If his forces are united, separate them.” — Sun Tzu
14. “Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.” — Sun Tzu
15. “In war, practice dissimulation, and you will succeed.” — Sun Tzu
16. “O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible; and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands.” — Sun Tzu
17. “In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain is to conceal them.” — Sun Tzu
18. “Conceal your dispositions, and you will be safe from the prying of the subtlest spies, from the machinations of the wisest brains.” — Sun Tzu

Speed, Timing, and Momentum

1. “Rapidity is the essence of war.” — Sun Tzu
2. “Take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.” — Sun Tzu
3. “Let your rapidity be that of the wind, your compactness that of the forest.” — Sun Tzu
4. “In raiding and plundering be like fire, in immovability like a mountain.” — Sun Tzu
5. “Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.” — Sun Tzu
6. “The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.” — Sun Tzu
7. “Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.” — Sun Tzu
8. “A soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is bent only on returning to camp.” — Sun Tzu
9. “A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return.” — Sun Tzu
10. “This is the art of studying moods.” — Sun Tzu
11. “If you set a fully equipped army in march in order to snatch an advantage, the chances are that you will be too late.” — Sun Tzu
12. “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
13. “He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.” — Sun Tzu
14. “To be near the goal while the enemy is still far from it, to wait at ease while the enemy is toiling and struggling, to be well-fed while the enemy is famished: this is the art of husbanding one's strength.” — Sun Tzu
15. “Disciplined and calm, to await the appearance of disorder and hubbub amongst the enemy: this is the art of retaining self-possession.” — Sun Tzu
16. “Opportunities multiply as they are seized.” — Attributed to Sun Tzu
17. “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” — Attributed to Sun Tzu
18. “Every battle is won before it is ever fought.” — Attributed to Sun Tzu

Preparation and Foresight

1. “The reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move is foreknowledge.” — Sun Tzu
2. “What is called foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits, nor from gods, nor by analogy with past events, nor from calculations.” — Sun Tzu
3. “It must be obtained from men who know the enemy situation.” — Sun Tzu
4. “The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him.” — Sun Tzu
5. “Not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.” — Sun Tzu
6. “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
7. “To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.” — Sun Tzu
8. “Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.” — Sun Tzu
9. “He wins his battles by making no mistakes.” — Sun Tzu
10. “Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.” — Sun Tzu
11. “He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.” — Sun Tzu
12. “When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men's weapons will grow dull and their ardor will be damped.” — Sun Tzu
13. “If you lay siege to a town, you will exhaust your strength.” — Sun Tzu
14. “Again, if the campaign is protracted, the resources of the State will not be equal to the strain.” — Sun Tzu
15. “Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardor damped, your strength exhausted and your treasure spent, other chieftains will spring up to take advantage of your extremity.” — Sun Tzu
16. “Then no man, however wise, will be able to avert the consequences that must ensue.” — Sun Tzu
17. “Thus, though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.” — Sun Tzu
18. “There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.” — Sun Tzu

Leadership: The Way of the General

1. “The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness.” — Sun Tzu
2. “Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys.” — Sun Tzu
3. “Look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.” — Sun Tzu
4. “If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children.” — Sun Tzu
5. “And they are useless for any practical purpose.” — Sun Tzu
6. “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
7. “There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: recklessness, cowardice, a hasty temper, a delicacy of honor, and over-solicitude for his men.” — Sun Tzu
8. “If reckless, he can be killed.” — Sun Tzu
9. “If cowardly, captured.” — Sun Tzu
10. “If quick-tempered, he can be provoked.” — Sun Tzu
11. “If delicate in point of honor, he can be disgraced.” — Sun Tzu
12. “If over-solicitous for his men, he can be worried.” — Sun Tzu
13. “These are the five besetting sins of a general, ruinous to the conduct of war.” — Sun Tzu
14. “The ruin of the army and the loss of the general's life are both to be laid at the door of these five faults.” — Sun Tzu
15. “When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination.” — Sun Tzu
16. “When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.” — Sun Tzu
17. “If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, they will be practically useless.” — Sun Tzu
18. “If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be useless.” — Sun Tzu

Discipline, Morale, and the Troops

1. “A whole army may be robbed of its spirit; a commander-in-chief may be robbed of his presence of mind.” — Sun Tzu
2. “By Method and discipline are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.” — Sun Tzu
3. “Gongs and drums, banners and flags, are means whereby the ears and eyes of the host may be focused on one particular point.” — Sun Tzu
4. “The host thus forming a single united body, it is impossible either for the brave to advance alone, or for the cowardly to retreat alone.” — Sun Tzu
5. “This is the art of handling large masses of men.” — Sun Tzu
6. “The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers.” — Sun Tzu
7. “Fighting with a large army under your command is nowise different from fighting with a small one: it is merely a question of instituting signs and signals.” — Sun Tzu
8. “Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight.” — Sun Tzu
9. “If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve.” — Sun Tzu
10. “Officers and men alike will put forth their uttermost strength.” — Sun Tzu
11. “Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear.” — Sun Tzu
12. “If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm.” — Sun Tzu
13. “If they are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front.” — Sun Tzu
14. “If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.” — Sun Tzu
15. “Thus, without waiting to be marshaled, the soldiers will be constantly on the qui vive.” — Sun Tzu
16. “Without waiting to be asked, they will do your will.” — Sun Tzu
17. “Without restrictions, they will be faithful.” — Sun Tzu
18. “Without giving orders, they can be trusted.” — Sun Tzu

Strength, Weakness, and Position

1. “You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended.” — Sun Tzu
2. “You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.” — Sun Tzu
3. “The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.” — Sun Tzu
4. “By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to approach of his own accord.” — Sun Tzu
5. “By inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the enemy to draw near.” — Sun Tzu
6. “If the enemy is taking his ease, he can harass him.” — Sun Tzu
7. “If well supplied with food, he can starve him out.” — Sun Tzu
8. “If quietly encamped, he can force him to move.” — Sun Tzu
9. “Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.” — Sun Tzu
10. “An army may march great distances without distress, if it marches through country where the enemy is not.” — Sun Tzu
11. “If I am able to determine the enemy's dispositions while at the same time I conceal my own, then I can concentrate and he must divide.” — Sun Tzu
12. “And if I concentrate while he divides, I can use my entire strength to attack a fraction of his.” — Sun Tzu
13. “There I shall be many against his few.” — Sun Tzu
14. “The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known.” — Sun Tzu
15. “For should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear.” — Sun Tzu
16. “Should he strengthen his rear, he will weaken his van.” — Sun Tzu
17. “Should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right.” — Sun Tzu
18. “If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.” — Sun Tzu

Adaptability: Water Has No Constant Shape

1. “Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards.” — Sun Tzu
2. “So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.” — Sun Tzu
3. “Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows.” — Sun Tzu
4. “The soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.” — Sun Tzu
5. “Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.” — Sun Tzu
6. “He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.” — Sun Tzu
7. “The five elements are not always equally predominant; the four seasons make way for each other in turn.” — Sun Tzu
8. “There are short days and long; the moon has its periods of waning and waxing.” — Sun Tzu
9. “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
10. “In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack: the direct and the indirect.” — Sun Tzu
11. “Yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers.” — Sun Tzu
12. “The direct and the indirect lead on to each other in turn.” — Sun Tzu
13. “It is like moving in a circle: you never come to an end.” — Sun Tzu
14. “Who can exhaust the possibilities of their combination?” — Sun Tzu
15. “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
16. “Amid the turmoil and tumult of battle, there may be seeming disorder and yet no real disorder at all.” — Sun Tzu
17. “Amid confusion and chaos, your array may be without head or tail, yet it will be proof against defeat.” — Sun Tzu
18. “Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline, simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.” — Sun Tzu

Intelligence and the Use of Spies

1. “Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men.” — Sun Tzu
2. “Hence the use of spies, of whom there are five classes: local spies; inward spies; converted spies; doomed spies; surviving spies.” — Sun Tzu
3. “When these five kinds of spy are all at work, none can discover the secret system.” — Sun Tzu
4. “This is called divine manipulation of the threads.” — Sun Tzu
5. “It is the sovereign's most precious faculty.” — Sun Tzu
6. “Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.” — Sun Tzu
7. “The end and aim of spying in all its five varieties is knowledge of the enemy.” — Sun Tzu
8. “And this knowledge can only be derived, in the first instance, from the converted spy.” — Sun Tzu
9. “Hence it is essential that the converted spy be treated with the utmost liberality.” — Sun Tzu
10. “The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade.” — Sun Tzu
11. “Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming.” — Sun Tzu
12. “When there is dust rising in a high column, it is the sign of chariots advancing.” — Sun Tzu
13. “When the dust is low, but spread over a wide area, it betokens the approach of infantry.” — Sun Tzu
14. “When it branches out in different directions, it shows that parties have been sent to collect firewood.” — Sun Tzu
15. “A few clouds of dust moving to and fro signify that the army is encamping.” — Sun Tzu
16. “Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is about to advance.” — Sun Tzu
17. “Violent language and driving forward as if to the attack are signs that he will retreat.” — Sun Tzu
18. “When the light chariots come out first and take up a position on the wings, it is a sign that the enemy is forming for battle.” — Sun Tzu

Terrain: The Soldier's Best Ally

1. “The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally.” — Sun Tzu
2. “But a power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers and distances, constitutes the test of a great general.” — Sun Tzu
3. “Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.” — Sun Tzu
4. “With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies.” — Sun Tzu
5. “Then you will be able to fight with advantage.” — Sun Tzu
6. “Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling.” — Sun Tzu
7. “From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him.” — Sun Tzu
8. “But if the enemy is prepared for your coming, and you fail to defeat him, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue.” — Sun Tzu
9. “When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporizing ground.” — Sun Tzu
10. “In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in his turn.” — Sun Tzu
11. “Then, when part of his army has come out, we may deliver our attack with advantage.” — Sun Tzu
12. “If in the neighborhood of your camp there should be any hilly country, ponds surrounded by aquatic grass, hollow basins filled with reeds, or woods with thick undergrowth, they must be carefully routed out and searched.” — Sun Tzu
13. “For these are places where men in ambush or insidious spies are likely to be lurking.” — Sun Tzu
14. “When the enemy is close at hand and remains quiet, he is relying on the natural strength of his position.” — Sun Tzu
15. “When he keeps aloof and tries to provoke a battle, he is anxious for the other side to advance.” — Sun Tzu
16. “If his place of encampment is easy of access, he is tendering a bait.” — Sun Tzu
17. “Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.” — Sun Tzu
18. “When in difficult country, do not encamp.” — Sun Tzu

Maneuvering the Army

1. “The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain.” — Sun Tzu
2. “Thus, to take a long and circuitous route, after enticing the enemy out of the way, and though starting after him, to contrive to reach the goal before him, shows knowledge of the artifice of deviation.” — Sun Tzu
3. “Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous.” — Sun Tzu
4. “If you march fifty LI in order to outmaneuver the enemy, you will lose the leader of your first division, and only half your force will reach the goal.” — Sun Tzu
5. “We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors.” — Sun Tzu
6. “We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country: its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps.” — Sun Tzu
7. “We shall be unable to turn natural advantage to account unless we make use of local guides.” — Sun Tzu
8. “Whether to concentrate or to divide your troops, must be decided by circumstances.” — Sun Tzu
9. “When you plunder a countryside, let the spoil be divided amongst your men.” — Sun Tzu
10. “When you capture new territory, cut it up into allotments for the benefit of the soldiery.” — Sun Tzu
11. “He will conquer who has learnt the artifice of deviation.” — Sun Tzu
12. “Such is the art of maneuvering.” — Sun Tzu
13. “Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.” — Sun Tzu
14. “To refrain from intercepting an enemy whose banners are in perfect order, to refrain from attacking an army drawn up in calm and confident array: this is the art of studying circumstances.” — Sun Tzu
15. “It is a military axiom not to advance uphill against the enemy, nor to oppose him when he comes downhill.” — Sun Tzu
16. “Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight.” — Sun Tzu
17. “Do not attack soldiers whose temper is keen.” — Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu for Modern Life: Business and Beyond

1. “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” — Attributed to Sun Tzu
2. “The wise warrior avoids the battle.” — Attributed to Sun Tzu
3. “To know your enemy, you must become your enemy.” — Attributed to Sun Tzu
4. “Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.” — Attributed to Sun Tzu
5. “Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price.” — Attributed to Sun Tzu
6. “If you sit by the river long enough, you will see the body of your enemy float by.” — Attributed to Sun Tzu
7. “A leader leads by example, not by force.” — Attributed to Sun Tzu
8. “There is no greater danger than underestimating your opponent.” — Attributed to Sun Tzu
9. “He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.” — Sun Tzu
10. “He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.” — Sun Tzu
11. “He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.” — Sun Tzu
12. “He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.” — Sun Tzu
13. “He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.” — Sun Tzu
14. “To lift an autumn hair is no sign of great strength; to see the sun and moon is no sign of sharp sight; to hear the noise of thunder is no sign of a quick ear.” — Sun Tzu
15. “What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.” — Sun Tzu
16. “Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy.” — Sun Tzu
17. “When you surround an army, leave an outlet free.” — Sun Tzu

How to Use These Sun Tzu Quotes

Sun Tzu wrote for generals, but his lines work anywhere strategy matters. Use a quote to open a business presentation — “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war” lands hard before a quarterly plan. Drop one into a leadership email when your team needs focus: “Rapidity is the essence of war” says more than a paragraph. For essays and speeches, pair a verified line from The Art of War with the historical note that Sun Tzu wrote in the 6th century BC, and your argument gains two thousand years of weight.

On social media, the short ones win — “All warfare is based on deception” and “The wise warrior avoids the battle” are built for captions. And when life itself feels like a campaign, read the preparation section slowly: Sun Tzu’s deepest lesson is that the battle is decided before it begins.

More Strategist Quotes to Explore

If Sun Tzu’s strategic mind speaks to you, keep reading. Explore stoic quotes on resilience and self-mastery, Marcus Aurelius quotes from a philosopher-emperor, and Confucius quotes on wisdom and character. For the Greek masters, see Socrates quotes on the examined life, Plato quotes on justice and truth, and Aristotle quotes on virtue and reason. Leaders will also value leadership quotes for every situation, Napoleon Hill quotes on success thinking, and wisdom quotes from across the ages. Go deeper with deep quotes for reflection, silence quotes on restraint and clarity, and Warren Buffett quotes on patience and strategy in investing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sun Tzu’s most famous quote?

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting” is the most famous line from The Art of War. Close behind are “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles” and “All warfare is based on deception.” All three are verified from the Lionel Giles translation. You can read more about his life and work on Wikipedia’s Sun Tzu page.

Are all of these quotes really by Sun Tzu?

Most are — they come directly from The Art of War in the classic Lionel Giles translation. A small number are famous sayings widely circulated as Sun Tzu’s but not found in any published translation; those are clearly labeled “Attributed to Sun Tzu” so you always know the difference.

What is The Art of War about?

Written in the 6th century BC, The Art of War is a 13-chapter treatise on military strategy covering planning, deception, terrain, intelligence, and leadership. Its principles — preparation, knowing your enemy, winning without fighting — are now applied in business, sports, law, and everyday decision-making.

Can I use these Sun Tzu quotes in my presentation or book?

Yes. The Art of War translations used here (Lionel Giles, 1910) are in the public domain, so the verified quotes are free to use in presentations, essays, speeches, and books. For the lines labeled “Attributed to Sun Tzu,” keep the attribution label to stay honest with your audience.