Sun Tzu Quotes on War & Peace (23 Quotes)

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

The Art of War is self-explanatory

There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.

Warfare is the way of deception.

The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.

To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

All war is based on deception.

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable when using our forces, we must seem inactive when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.

All war is deception.

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.

Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.

In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good.

In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected.

The one who figures on victory at headquarters before even doing battle is the one who has the most strategic factors on his side.

Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.

All warfare is based on deception.

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

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

Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.

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

If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.

To perceive victory when it is known to all is not really skilful. Everyone calls victory in battle good, but it is not really good.