The 90 best phrases of Sun Tzu (The Art of War)
Sun Tzu he was a general and philosopher of ancient China, of which it is unknown if he was a real personage or not.
Historians commonly place it in China between 722 and 481 BC, but there is no irrefutable evidence for its existence. The only verified document that tells us about the figure of him is a biography written in the second century BC by the author Sima Qian.
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Sun Tzu's great phrases (and reflections)
Regardless of whether or not he really existed, his work "The Art of War" It is considered a unique manual on philosophy and military tactics that can provide us with great knowledge, below you can enjoy the 90 best phrases of Sun Tzu (The Art of War) that you will surely love.
1. The best victory is to win without fighting.
If we are smart enough, we will not have to fight to get out of a problem.
2. If you use the enemy to defeat the enemy, you will be powerful wherever you go.
Knowing how to antagonize third parties can make us achieve victory without lifting a single finger.
3. Take them to a point where they can't get out, and they'll die before they can escape.
In this quote, Sun Tzu talks to us about the importance of surrounding our enemies.
4. Weapons are fatal instruments that should only be used when there is no other alternative.
To achieve victory it will not always be necessary to use brute force.
5. When you are close, you must seem far away, when you are far, you must seem close. Baits are displayed to incite the enemy. Disorder is feigned and squashed.
This quote explains that we must disorient our enemy in order to defeat him.
6. A victorious army wins first and goes to battle later; a defeated army fights first and tries to gain victory later.
The attitude with which we go into battle will largely determine our success.
7. If you want to feign cowardice in order to know the strategy of your opponents, you first have to be extremely brave, because only then can you act artificially shy.
Feigning cowardice can lead to premature death, so you have to be very brave to use this tactic.
8. Make adversaries see as extraordinary what is ordinary to you; make what is extraordinary to you to see as ordinary.
Knowing how to play our tricks is extremely important in military tactics.
9. You have to carefully compare the opposing army with your own to know where the force is superabundant and where it is deficient.
Seeing the weaknesses of our adversary and being able to hide our own will allow us to achieve victory on the battlefield.
10. The supreme thing in the art of the war consists in subduing the enemy without giving battle.
Long before the first arrow is released, the war will have already started.
11. The worst tactic is to attack a city. Besieging, cornering a city is only done as a last resort.
This quote tells us about ethics in war, civilian casualties are never necessary.
12. If your forces are in order while theirs are immersed in chaos, if you and your forces are in spirits and they are demoralized, then, even if they are more numerous, you can enter battle. If your soldiers, your forces, your strategy and your courage are less than those of your adversary, then you must retreat and look for a way out.
Strategy and spirit are two determining factors to be able to win in a battle, without these factors on our side it is much more convenient to seek escape.
13. Maneuvering with an army is advantageous. Maneuvering with an undisciplined crowd is dangerous.
In order to lead an army on the battlefield, it must have been disciplined before.
14. Generals who know the possible variables to take advantage of the terrain know how to handle the armed forces. If the generals do not know how to adapt to their advantage, even though they know the condition of the terrain, they cannot take advantage of it.
The qualities of a general are what will lead or not to achieve victory, in such an important rank he has to be very skilled.
15. Do not press a desperate enemy. An exhausted animal will continue to fight, for that is the law of nature.
We must allow our enemies a way of escape, for in this way they will surrender much sooner.
16. In order for them to perceive the benefits of defeating the enemy, they must also obtain their rewards.
Rewarding our soldiers is vital to the smooth running of an army.
17. Making yourself invincible means knowing yourself.
When we know our deficiencies we know how to correct them and take advantage of them in our favor.
18. Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.
Having our friends close will allow us to know them in depth and to be able to detect their weaknesses.
19. Invincibility is a matter of defense, vulnerability is a matter of attack.
If we know how to defend ourselves, we will never be defeated, because a premature attack weakens us to a great extent.
20. Even the best sword if left submerged in salt water will eventually rust.
Over the years we all lose our qualities when it comes to war.
21. When the enemy is relaxed, make him exert himself. When he's satiated, make him hungry. When it's settled make it move.
Knowing how to sow confusion in our adversary will unequivocally lead to defeat.
22. What the ancients called an astute fighter is one who not only wins, but stands out for winning with simplicity.
When we win quickly and easily, that victory acquires much more value because it is seen by our adversaries as much more explosive.
23. Swift as the wind, silent as the forest, swift and devastating as fire, motionless as a mountain.
Sun Tzu talks to us in this quote about the qualities of any good army.
24. The opportunity to insure ourselves against defeat is in our own hands, but the opportunity to defeat the enemy is provided by himself.
We can all band together during a battle, but this way we will never achieve victory.
25. Look for your soldiers as you look for a newborn; so they will be willing to follow you to the deepest valleys; take care of your soldiers as you take care of your dear children and they will gladly die with you.
The treatment you give to your soldiers will be what you will receive from him. One of the best known Sun Tzu phrases.
26. If your enemy takes things easy, don't give him a break. If your forces are united, separate them. Attack him where he is not ready, he appears where he is not waiting for you.
We must anticipate our enemy so that he cannot foresee our attacks.
27. The wheels of justice turn slowly but they turn well.
Justice sooner or later reaches its goal.
28. If you send reinforcements everywhere, you will be weak everywhere.
Using our soldiers effectively can be very difficult.
29. Who knows when to fight and when not to fight will win.
Knowing how to start battles is something that many of us do not know how to do, we must fight only when the conditions are right for us.
30. He who can modify his tactics according to his opponent and thus achieve victory may be called captain born of the horn of heaven.
Knowing how to adapt to our opponents is a quality that every great captain must undoubtedly possess.
31. Good warriors bring adversaries to come to them, and in no way allow themselves to be drawn out of their stronghold.
We must not let our enemies lead us to their ground, for that way we will surely be defeated.
32. The primary colors are only five, but their combinations are so infinite that we cannot see them all.
Knowing how to differentiate our soldiers on the battlefield is something of vital importance for any general.
33. Great results can be achieved with little effort.
Even with the smallest acts we can make a dent in the army of our adversary.
34. Whoever arrives first on the battlefield waits fresh for the arrival of the enemy to fight. Those who arrive late to the battlefield have to hurry and arrive exhausted to combat.
A great quote that tells us about the importance of punctuality, which we can use in all aspects of our life.
35. Don't go downstream. Do not walk against the currents, nor against the wind.
When we engage in battle we must take advantage of the atmospheric elements in our favor.
36. Being violent at first and ending up later in fear of your own soldiers is the height of ineptitude.
We will receive the treatment of our soldiers that we have previously earned.
37. Always remember danger when you are safe and chaos in times of order, be aware of danger and chaos while they still have no form and avoid them before they arise; this is the best strategy of all.
We must be cautious and act when the waters are calm, in this way we will be much more effective.
38. The brave can fight, the careful can watch, and the smart can study, analyze, and communicate. Each one is useful.
We are all useful in war, as we contribute our best for the common good.
39. A government must not mobilize an army out of anger and military leaders must not provoke war out of anger.
When we start an enmity it has to be because of our own thoughts, not the result of our momentary feelings.
40. If your forces are ten times greater than the adversary's, surround him; if they are five times higher, attack him; if they are twice as high, divide it.
Using the appropriate tactic in each situation is vitally important in order to achieve victory.
41. If the enemy is safe at all points, prepare for his attack. If you have superior strength, avoid it.
A good escape in time can avoid greater evils, we must know how to withdraw.
42. The art of war is based on deception. Therefore, when he is able to attack, he must appear incapable; when the traps are moved, they appear to be inactive.
If our enemy underestimates us, we will have won him before he knows it.
43. If you know the enemy and you know yourself, you need not fear the outcome of hundreds of battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory you win you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
The knowledge of our weaknesses and the weaknesses of our adversary, will lead us safely to victory or defeat.
44. If fighting ensures victory, then you must fight, even if the governor forbids it; If the fight does not ensure victory, then you must not fight even by order of the ruler.
The great battles are fought before they begin, because without proper preparation we will have already lost before going out onto the battlefield.
45. Thus, only a brilliant ruler or a wise general who can use the cleverest for espionage can be sure of victory.
Wisdom is the most powerful weapon that a human being can have, because with it he can anticipate any problem that may befall him.
46. Strategy without tactics is the slowest path to victory. Tactics without strategy are the noise before defeat.
Any strategy that works will be achieved through the tactics necessary to form it.
47. There are five traits that are dangerous in generals. Those who are willing to die may lose their lives; those who want to preserve life can be taken prisoner; those who are given to irrational passion can be ridiculed; those who are very puritanical can be disgraced; those who are compassionate can be embarrassed.
Our emotions can be used against us by our adversary, we must not get carried away by them.
48. Give the enemy what they hope to receive; thus they will be able to discern and confirm their assumptions. With this, you will get the enemy itself to act with predictable response patterns that will keep their strategists and their armies busy. Meanwhile, you must wait for the moment to act in a way that cannot be anticipated.
Giving a bait to our enemy so that he acts in a certain way is a tactic that in chess is called gambit, widely used in the military world.
49. Victory generally goes to the army that has better-trained officers and men.
Preparations before a battle are 90 percent of success.
50. You have to believe in yourself.
Trust is absolutely necessary, without it we will never be able to defeat a motivated enemy.
51. The inhabitants are the basis of a country, food is the happiness of the people. The prince must respect this fact and be sober and austere in his public spending.
As leaders, correct management can lead us to the top of personal success, otherwise we may lose everything we have achieved in our promotion.
52. If you make the adversaries not know the place and the date of the battle, you can always win.
Any lack of information on your adversary can be used against him.
53. You have to reflect and deliberate before making any decision.
Reflecting on our movements carefully is extremely important, especially when we risk human lives.
54. In an invasion, as a general rule, the further the invaders go into other people's territory, the stronger they become, to the point that the native government can no longer expel them.
The speed of an invasion is a determining factor for its success, as this quote explains very well.
55. Do not chase enemies when they feign a retreat, or attack expert troops.
We must not fall into the traps that our adversary has prepared for us, this can be a decisive factor in our victory.
56. An army prefers high ground and avoids low ground, appreciates light and detests darkness.
The environmental conditions in a battle are crucial, if we use them to our advantage we can gain a clear advantage over our adversary.
57. The quality of the decision is like the timely raid of a hawk, allowing it to attack and destroy its victim.
Being bold is something that can be very advantageous to us in battle.
58. If spies are not treated well, they can become rogues and work for the enemy.
In war, spies can switch sides at the most unexpected moments.
59. The imprisoned soldiers must be treated well, to get them to fight for you in the future.
Adding loyal men to our ranks is vital to the growth of our military.
60. Soldier psychology is to resist when surrounded, to fight when it cannot be avoided, and to obey in extreme cases.
Soldiers must put military orders before their own safety, for the battle to come to fruition.
61. Where there are great rewards, there are brave men.
The courageous man should be gratefully rewarded, in this way he will always act in our favor.
62. One hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the greatest skill. Subdue others' army without battle is the greatest skill.
Knowing how to win a battle before it begins is the quality of an invincible general.
63. Can you imagine what I would do if he could do everything I can?
Knowing how to instill fear in our adversary will weaken him and lead him to act more predictably.
64. Those who are not fully aware of the disadvantages of using weapons may not be fully aware of the advantages of using them.
Everything has pros and cons, we must know when some are more numerous than others.
65. He who is prudent and waits for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.
Anticipation is something that will unequivocally lead us to victory, because with it our enemy will not be able to react to our tactics.
66. Show them a way to save their lives so that they are not willing to fight to the death, so you can take advantage of it to attack them.
Knowing how to guide our enemy towards the trap that we have previously prepared is something very used in battle.
67. The one who develops a tactic to achieve it triumphs, takes advantage of his opportunity, accepts his weaknesses and recognizes his strengths.
Knowing how to start a battle by measuring all the aspects that make it up is the quality of every good general.
68. You should never attack out of anger and in a hurry. It is advisable to take time in planning and coordinating the plan.
Preparation is of vital importance before engaging in any combat, without it we are lost.
69. The opportunities multiply as they are taken.
As a battle unfolds, opportunities present themselves and grow in number.
70. Defense is for times of scarcity, attack for times of plenty.
We must attack when we are stronger and better prepared.
71. He lets your plans be dark and impenetrable like the night and when you move, it strikes like lightning.
The enemy must never know how and when we will act.
72. The enlightened ruler is attentive and the good general is full of caution.
This quote explains the two most important qualities in a ruler and a general, without a doubt Sun Tzu knew very well what he was talking about.
73. A leader leads by example, not by force.
Our example will be the biggest flag we can carry, so that others can follow us into battle.
74. He is extremely mysterious, even to the point of the absence of sound. In this way you can be the director of your opponent's destiny.
Lying can be a great asset during war, because with it we will be able to confuse our opponent.
75. The supreme excellence consists in breaking the resistance of the enemy without fighting.
There are many techniques to break the spirit of our enemy, when our enemy considers us invincible he will surrender before engaging in battle.
76. If your opponent has an angry temper, he tries to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, so that he becomes arrogant.
Knowing how to use the emotions of our enemy against him will give us a great opportunity to achieve victory.
77. This is how in war, the victorious strategist only seeks battle after victory he has already won, while the one destined for defeat, first fights and then seeks the victory.
He who knows how to prepare a battle will achieve victory before even facing his opponent.
78. Anger can turn into joy, and anger can turn into pleasure. But a nation can never be rebuilt, and a life cannot be reborn.
The military actions we carry out can change the world forever, for time cannot turn back.
79. You must ponder and deliberate before making a move. Whoever has learned the art of deviation will conquer.
Distraction is something that on the battlefield, can allow us to defeat our adversary or be defeated by him.
80. Hence the saying: know the enemy and know yourself, and no doubt will fall on your victory; know Heaven and Earth, and your victory will be fully assured.
Information is vital in all aspects of a war, since the greatest strategies and tactics are based on it.
81. To know your Enemy you must become your Enemy.
Knowing how your enemy thinks and acts will allow us to anticipate his movements.
82. All men can see the tactics, but what no one can see is the strategy that makes victory evolve from these observations.
Not all people are capable of foreseeing a convoluted strategy on the battlefield.
83. The lowlands are humid, which causes disease and makes combat difficult.
The type of terrain where it is fought can be crucial for the proper functioning of our army.
84. On the day war is declared, the borders are closed, the safe-conducts are broken and the passage of emissaries is prevented.
When a war starts, it affects all aspects of society.
85. Speed is the essence of war.
Speed is a fundamental quality in any great army, because with it our adversary will not be able to anticipate our movements.
86. The prudence and firmness of a small number of people can tire and even dominate numerous armies.
A small group of properly trained people can wreak havoc even in much larger ranks.
87. In military affairs, it is not necessarily more beneficial to be superior in force, only to avoid acting with unnecessary violence; it is enough to consolidate your power, make estimates about the enemy and manage to gather troops; that is all.
How we act with our army will lead us to victory or not, even when everything seems to be favorable, the tables can be turned.
88. Practice martial arts, calculate the strength of your opponents, make them lose their spirits and direction, so that even if the enemy army is intact it is useless: this is winning without violence.
Getting into the mind of our adversary so that he loses confidence is something that can be very beneficial to us.
89. Success in war is achieved by taking care to permanently adapt to the purpose of the enemy.
Anticipation is everything in the art of war, anticipating the movements of our adversary and using them to our advantage.
90. Only when you know every detail of the ground condition can you maneuver and fight.
Knowledge of the terrain is crucial in any battle, it allows us to be much more effective when fighting.
