Quotes from The Art of War

A Chinese military treatise attributed to the strategist Sun Tzu, traditionally dated to the 5th century BC. Thirteen chapters on deception, positioning and winning without fighting — read today far beyond the battlefield, in boardrooms and sports alike. Every quote below is a verified passage from the treatise. Below: the 17 quotes in the QuotePlace collection that are verifiably from this work, each marked 'Source verified' on its own page.

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. — Sun Tzu
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.
Sun Tzu
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win. — Sun Tzu
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
Sun Tzu
All warfare is based on deception. — Sun Tzu
All warfare is based on deception.
Sun Tzu
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. — Sun Tzu
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
Sun Tzu
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt. — Sun Tzu
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
Sun Tzu
He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. — Sun Tzu
He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
Sun Tzu
He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious. — Sun Tzu
He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.
Sun Tzu
Ponder and deliberate before you make a move. — Sun Tzu
Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.
Sun Tzu
The art of war is of vital importance to the State. — Sun Tzu
The art of war is of vital importance to the State.
Sun Tzu
Move swift as the wind and closely-formed as the wood. Attack like the fire and be still as the mountain. — Sun Tzu
Move swift as the wind and closely-formed as the wood. Attack like the fire and be still as the mountain.
Sun Tzu
Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. — Sun Tzu
Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
Sun Tzu
He will win who knows when to fight and not to fight. — Sun Tzu
He will win who knows when to fight and not to fight.
Sun Tzu
Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. — Sun Tzu
Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.
Sun Tzu
In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns. — Sun Tzu
In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.
Sun Tzu
He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious. — Sun Tzu
He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious.
Sun Tzu
Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories. — Sun Tzu
Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.
Sun Tzu
If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. — Sun Tzu
If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.
Sun Tzu
Explore more: All Sun Tzu quotes · Meditations · Tao Te Ching · Illusions · The Analects · The Prophet · Think and Grow Rich · Dhammapada · Letters to Lucilius · Enchiridion · Did they really say it?