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Portrait of Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu

Philosopher Wu

685 quotes in 1275 categories

Sun Tzu explains how to win battles by using clever plans and knowing the enemy’s strengths. He says anger and greed can cause defeat, and he reminds leaders to value the people and food that support the state. He also warns that smart fighters act quickly, but never rush without purpose.

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Sun Tzu is a philosopher from Wu, best known for The Art of War.

Quick Facts About Sun Tzu

Nationality: Wu
Profession: Philosopher
Notable works: The Art of War

About Sun Tzu

The Art of War is a Classical Chinese text on military strategy from the Warring States period, though scholars think the earliest parts were written at least a century after Sun Tzu’s lifetime.

Quotes by Sun Tzu

“WANG XI Opponents cannot exhaust you.”

Exhaust

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All war is deception.

Deception

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All war is based on deception.

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Defeat the enemies strategy.

Decision

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A leader leads by example not by force.

Army

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In desperate position, you must fight.

Desperate

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“Chapter1 Laying Plans”

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“The wise warrior avoids the battle.”

Avoids

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The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands

Art of war

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No nation has ever benefited from a prolonged war.

Nation

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He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.

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“Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.”

Arrogant

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If your opponent is of choleric temper, irritate him.

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“These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.”

Business

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Sweat more during peace: bleed less during war

Badass

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“If you wait by the river long enough, the bodies of your enemies will float by.”

Enemies

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“There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combination of these five give rise to more melodies that can ever…

Melodies

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In conflict, straightforward actions generally lead to engagement, surprising actions generally lead to victory.

Action

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Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.

Art

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“It is easy to love your friend, but sometimes the hardest lesson to learn is to love your enemy.”

Friendship

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First learn to become invincible, then wait for your enemy's moment of vulnerability.

Enemy

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A sovereign of high character and intelligence must be able to know the right man, should place the responsibility on him, and…

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These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.

Art

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The dance of battle is always played to the same impatient rhythm. What begins in a surge of violent motion is always…

Battle

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“Sun Tzu said: Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight;…

War

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The proximity of an army causes prices to go up; and high prices cause people's substance to be drained away. When their…

Army

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“The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses a…

Peace

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“Where there are repeated wars, the people are weakened; when they score repeated victories, rulers become haughty. Let haughty rulers command weakened…

War

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The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to…

Ability

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When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them.…

Art

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A clever general... avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return.…

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Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is about to advance. Violent language and driving forward as if to…

Art of war

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“My eldest brother sees the spirit of sickness and removes it before it takes shape, so his name does not get out…

Brother

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Getting people to fight by letting the force of momentum work is like rolling logs and rocks. Logs and rocks are still…

Battle

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Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity; They cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness; Without subtle ingenuity…

Art

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“What Hurts the People There are five things that hurt the people: There are local officials who use public office for personal…

Crime

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There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune on his army: By commanding the army to advance or to…

Adaptation

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The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed.…

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When your weapons are dulled and ardour damped, your strength exhausted and treasure spent, neighboring rulers will take advantage of your distress…

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All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem…

Art

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Sun Tzu by topic

War (409) Art of war (231) Art (200) Enemy (188) Peace (125) Strategy (86) Army (74) Victory (63) Battle (61) Business (50) Strategist (40) Military (40) Inspirational (35) Winning (33) Men (30) Advantage (25)