“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; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.” – Sun Tzu, ‘The Art Of War’
Today we share the philosophy of Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu (born 6th century BCE) from the ‘The Art Of War’. The exact publication date of ‘The Art Of War’ is unknown and, while ‘The Art Of War’ is traditionally attributed to Sun Tzu, it is possible that the book is actually a compilation of Chinese military strategy teachings from multiple generations.
Quotes From ‘The Art Of War’
Quotes are excerpted from the Fall River Press illustrated edition of ‘The Art Of War’, published in 2014 and based on Lionel Gile’s 1910 translation, ‘Sun Tzu On The Art Of War’.
Autonomy
“The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.”
“Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.”
“… the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him.”
“He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.”
“Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.”
“In war, practice dissimulation, and you will succeed.”
“He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.”
“… until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.”
Groups
“A victorious army opposed to a routed one, is as a pound’s weight placed in the scale against a single grain.”
“Rouse [the enemy], and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity.”
“… an army without its baggage-train is lost…”
“… thus forming a single united body, is it impossible either for the brave to advance alone, or for the cowardly to retreat alone.”
“When you surround an army, leave an outlet free.”
“When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food. If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst.”
“The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank and file.”
“Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man.”
Liberty
“Move only if there is a real advantage to be gained.”
“There are roads which must not be followed…”
“We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country… We shall be unable to turn natural advantage to account unless we make use of local guides.”
“Let your rapidity be that of the wind, your compactness that of the forest. In raiding and plundering be like fire, in immovability like a mountain. Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
Social Capital
“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.”
“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.”
“When their substance is drained away, the peasants will be afflicted by heavy exactions.”
“We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors.”
“When you plunder a countryside, let the spoil be divided amongst your men; when you capture new territory, cut it up into allotments for the benefit of the soldiery.”
“Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is about to advance.”
“… too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress.”
“If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be useless. Therefore soldiers must be treated in the first instance with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline.”
“If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his order being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.”
“When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.”
“… when there are no fixed duties assigned to officers and men… the result is utter disorganization.”
“If you asked how to cope with a great house of the enemy in orderly array and on the point of marching to the attack, I should say: ‘Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will’.”
“Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape… If they face death, there is nothing they may not achieve.”
“… it is the soldier’s disposition to offer an obstinate resistance when surrounded, to fight hard when he cannot help himself, and to obey promptly when he has fallen into danger.”
“When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.”
Sovereignty
“… the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy’s plans; the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy’s forces; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.”
“He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.”
“All warfare is based on deception.”
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
“To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.”
“Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.”
“All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.”
“You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended. You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.”
“Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy’s unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.”
“Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans.”
“[a prince] does not strive to ally himself with all and sundry, nor does he foster the power of other states. He carries out his own secret designs, keeping his antagonists in awe.”
“Confront your soldiers with the deed itself; never let them know your design.”
“By persistently hanging on the enemy’s flank, we shall succeed in the long run in killing the commander-in-chief.”
“But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.”
“… what enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge.”
“Knowledge of the enemy’s dispositions can only be obtained from other men.”
“Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy’s purpose.”
Virtues
“The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, and strictness.”
“… a wise general makes a point of foraging on the enemy. One cartload of the enemy’s provisions is equivalent to twenty of one’s own…”
“… to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.”
“… a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease. Hence his victories bring him neither reputation for wisdom nor credit for courage.”
“To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.”
“There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: (1) Recklessness, which leads to destruction; (2) Cowardice, which leads to capture; (3) Hasty Temper, which can be provoked by insults; (4) Delicacy of Honor, which is sensitive to shame; and (5) Over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble. These are the five besetting sins of a general, ruinous to the conduct of war. When an army is overthrown and its leader slain, the cause will surely be found among these five dangerous faults.”
“The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach.”
Final Thoughts
Sun Tzu’s wisdom from The Art of War transcends its military origins to offer timeless insights into strategy, leadership, and human nature. These carefully curated quotes reveal a philosophy that values preparation over aggression, wisdom over brute force, and adaptability over rigid thinking. Whether approaching business challenges, personal conflicts, or life’s inevitable obstacles, Sun Tzu’s teachings remind us that true victory comes not from overwhelming force, but from understanding—understanding ourselves, our circumstances, and those we encounter along the way.
What makes these ancient teachings particularly relevant in our modern world is their emphasis on psychological insight and strategic thinking. Sun Tzu understood that the greatest battles are often won before they begin, through careful planning, deception when necessary, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. His advice to “impose your will on the enemy, but do not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on you” speaks to maintaining agency in any situation, while his warnings about the five dangerous faults of leadership serve as timeless reminders about the importance of balanced judgment and emotional intelligence.
Perhaps most profound is Sun Tzu’s recognition that the highest form of victory is achieved without conflict—that “supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.” In an era often characterized by confrontation and zero-sum thinking, this philosophy offers a different path: one that values strategic patience, careful observation, and the wisdom to know when to act and when to wait. These teachings invite us to approach life’s challenges not as a series of battles to be won through force, but as complex situations requiring wisdom, flexibility, and deep understanding.
Thanks for reading!