A War leader and great Philosopher Sun Tzu, One of the greatest strategists and military minds ever known who wrote “The Art Of War” book. You probably heard of his great book which we think can bring some interesting insights for those who are in leadership or running a business. Although the book was written thousands of years ago but still there are many aspects written in the book that can be applied to today’s modern society.
This is a great book to read if you want to understand Human Psychology, take a look at the best human psychology books if you wanna dive into more. You could say, this book is considered the ancient known book discussing about military science. To take a peek inside of this book, I have collected the best quotes from the Art of War.
So, let’s bring the blessing of Sun Tzu into our lives with these carefully-chosen quotes.
In this post, you will find
- Art of War Quotes about Leadership
- Art of War Quotes about War
- Art of War Quotes about Bravery and Subtlety
- Art of War Quotes about Strategy
Art of War quotes about leadership
Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.
Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.
If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things
Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.
A leader leads by example, not by force.
Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day.
There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.
Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.
Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.
Who wishes to fight must first count the cost
It is easy to love your friend, but sometimes the hardest lesson to learn is to love your enemy.
He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
Disorder came from order, fear came from courage, weakness came from strength.
Art of War Quotes about War
Quickness is the essence of the war.
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
Move swift as the Wind and closely formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.
When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.
The wise warrior avoids the battle.
Those who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.
All warfare is based on deception.
One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.
If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.
Art of War Quotes about Bravery and Subtlety
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.
There are not more than five primary colors (blue, yellow, red, white, and black), yet in combination, they produce more hues than can ever been seen.
Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate.
When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away…
There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.
Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy and is not moved by him.
When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.
The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy so that he cannot fathom our real intent.
What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins but excels in winning with ease.
Excessive rewards are a sign of desperation. Excessive punishments are a sign of exhaustion.
Art of War Quotes about Strategy
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.
So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.
He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.
Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.
If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
