Sun Tzu was an ancient Chinese general, military strategist, and philosopher who lived in the Spring and Autumn period. Best known as the author of the highly influential work of military strategy, ‘The Art of War,’ he is credited to have had tremendous impact on both Western and Eastern philosophy. His military strategy has been praised and employed throughout East Asia since it came into being and it popularly received a boost in the 20th century after it was put to practical use in Western society as well. A legendary historical figure, his works continue to influence not just modern warfare, but also culture, politics, business, and sports. Due to the seminal nature of his work, he is considered to be one of the greatest war leaders and strategists to have ever existed. Read on to learn new things about how to empower yourself so that you can courageously fight your enemies to emerge victorious!
The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.
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
So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.
One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.
Sun Tzu
What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.
Sun Tzu
Be extremely subtle even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate.
When one treats people with benevolence, justice, and righteoousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders'.
Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content.
But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.
There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.
Sun Tzu
Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.
Sun Tzu
If quick, I survive.
If not quick, I am lost.
This is "death.
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
Great results, can be achieved with small forces.
Sun Tzu
Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the defensive.
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.
To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
Sun Tzu
Bravery without forethought, causes a man to fight blindly and desperately like a mad bull. Such an opponent, must not be encountered with brute force, but may be lured into an ambush and slain.
In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack--the
direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to
an endless series of maneuvers.
Sun Tzu
Mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy
Sun Tzu
Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits
Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day.
Sun Tzu
It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.
Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
Sun Tzu
If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.
Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.
Sun Tzu
He who advances without seeking fame,
Who retreats without escaping blame,
He whose one aim is to protect his people and serve his lord,
The man is a jewel of the Realm
Sun Tzu
Every battle is won before it’s ever fought.
Sun Tzu
Do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat
Sun Tzu
Conform to the enemy's tactics until a favorable opportunity offers; then come forth and engage in a battle that shall prove decisive.
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
If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak.
Sun Tzu
When your army has crossed the border, you should burn your boats and bridges, in order to make it clear to everybody that you have no hankering after home.
Order or disorder depends on organisation; courage or cowardice on circumstances; strength or weakness on dispositions.
Sun Tzu
It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one,
to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous,
to divide our army into two.
Foreknowledge cannot be gotten from ghosts and spirits, cannot be had by analogy, cannot be found out by calculation. It must be obtained from people, people who know the conditions of the enemy.
Sun Tzu
Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.
Sun Tzu
Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.
Sun Tzu
Conceal your dispositions, and your condition will remain secret, which leads to victory; show your dispositions, and your condition will become patent, which leads to defeat.
Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack.
Sun Tzu
It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war
that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.
Sun Tzu
By reinforcing every part, he weakens every part.
Sun Tzu
The worst calamities that befall an army arise from hesitation
Sun Tzu
The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points;
Confront them with annihilation, and they will then survive; plunge them into a deadly situation, and they will then live. When people fall into danger, they are then able to strive for victory.
