Sun Tzu
Chinese military strategist and author, 5th century BC
18 quotes.
Quotes by Sun Tzu
- A leader leads by example, not by force.
- He who knows his enemy and himself well will not be defeated easily.
- He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
- He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
- If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
- 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.
- In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
- Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
- Plan for what it is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.
- Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.
- Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day.
- The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities...It is best to win without fighting.
- The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.
- Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.
- Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.
- Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
- Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.
- Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price.