Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu, an ancient Chinese military strategist, philosopher, and writer, is best known for his seminal work, The Art of War.
This influential text, composed around the 5th century BCE, ventured beyond the mere principles of warfare, presenting wisdom applicable to various aspects of human endeavour, including leadership, strategy, and competition.
His enigmatic teachings emphasise the significance of adaptability, the psychological dimensions of conflict, and the importance of knowing oneself and one's adversaries.
Sun Tzu's ideas continue to resonate today, inspiring business leaders, sports coaches, and politicians who seek to navigate the complexities of competition and achieve success through strategic acumen. His legacy endures as not only a guide to military tactics but also a profound exploration of human behaviour and decision-making in the face of challenges.
Editors Pick
The successful person has unusual skill at dealing with conflict and ensuring the best outcome for all.
-
Sun Tzu
You cannot know if you will be successful or not. You can only prepare for battle and it must be done with all of your heart and with all of your consciousness. In that manner, you will have an edge.
-
Sun Tzu
Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.
-
Sun Tzu
Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.
-
Sun Tzu
All Quotes by Sun Tzu
When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.
-
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
The good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.
-
Sun Tzu
Those who do not know the plans of competitors cannot prepare alliances. Those who do not know the lay of the land cannot manouver their forces. Those who do not use local guides cannot take advantage of the ground.
-
Sun Tzu
A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.
-
Sun Tzu
The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.
-
Sun Tzu
So a military force has no constant formation, water has no constant shape: the ability to gain victory by changing and adapting according to the opponent is called genius.
-
Sun Tzu
The expert in battle seeks his victory from strategic advantage and does not demand it from his men.
-
Sun Tzu
When I have won a victory I do not repeat my tactics but respond to circumstances in an infinite variety of ways.
-
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
Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards... Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. 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
So the principles of warfare are: Do not depend on the enemy not coming, but depend on our readiness against him. Do not depend on the enemy not attacking, but depend on our position that cannot be attacked.
-
Sun Tzu
When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.
-
Sun Tzu
He who knows things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.
-
Sun Tzu
In conflict, straightforward actions generally lead to engagement, surprising actions generally lead to victory.
-
Sun Tzu
There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: recklessness, which leads to destruction; cowardice, which leads to capture; a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults; a delicacy of honour, which is sensitive to shame; over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble.
-
Sun Tzu
In war, numbers alone confer no advantage. Do not advance relying on sheer military power.
-
Sun Tzu
Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow...they have form but are formless. They are skilled in both planning and adapting and need not fear the result of a thousand battles: for they win in advance, defeating those that have already lost.
-
Sun Tzu
One who speaks deferentially but increases his preparations will advance. One who speaks belligerently and advances hastily will retreat.
-
Sun Tzu