40 Powerful Sun Tzu Quotes

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There is a way to control your mind, reactions and emotions. These powerful Sun Tzu quotes will turn your mind into your most powerful weapon that allows you to control your response to the outside world.

Sun Tzu was an influential Chinese military general, writer and philosopher in 544–496 BC. His infamous “The Art of War” is considered to be a masterpiece on strategy.

He was a great worrier, both physically and mentally. He knew how important it is to have a strategy if you want to achieve your goal. His wise words are undoubtedly inspirational, and today we are going to be looking into some of them.

Sun Tzu Quotes

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


“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”


“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”


“Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.”


sun tzu quotes

“A leader leads by example, not by force.”


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


“Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him.”


“Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?”


“Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.”


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


sun tzu quotes

“Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.”


“All war is deception.”


“Sweat more during peace: bleed less during war.”


sun tzu quotes

“One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.”


“All wars are won or lost before they are ever fought.”


“Who wishes to fight must first count the cost.”


“If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.”


sun tzu quotes

“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”


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


“What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins but excels in winning with ease.”


sun tzu quotes

“Correct your mistake as soon as you have found it.”


“The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.”


“It is more important to out-think your enemy, than to outfight him.”


“Great results, can be achieved with small forces.”


“It is easy to love your friend, but sometimes the hardest lesson to learn is to love your enemy.”


“To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.”


sun tzu quotes

“Plan for what it is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.”


“There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.”


“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.”


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


“Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.”


“Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.”


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


“When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.”


sun tzu quotes

“One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all.”


“Who wishes to fight must first count the cost.”


“You have to believe in yourself.”


“Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.”


sun tzu quotes

“Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.”


“Wheels of justice gind slow but grind fine.”

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed reading these Sun Tzu quotes. If you liked the quotes you should definitely read more of Sun Tzu’s work.

The Art of War – by Sun Tzu

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