---
title: "4 Cleverness Quotes By Sun Tzu"
description: "4 Cleverness quotes by Sun Tzu. Plus more from Sun Tzu and more Cleverness sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b2/sun-tzu-283_cleverness_therefore-the-clever-combatant-imposes-h_657039.jpg"
---

> [“Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/therefore-the-clever-combatant-imposes-his-will-on-the-enemy-but-does/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b2/sun-tzu-283_cleverness_therefore-the-clever-combatant-imposes-h_657039.jpg)

> [Thus, though I have heard of successful military operations that were clumsy but swift, cleverness has never been seen associated with long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/thus-though-i-have-heard-of-successful-military-operations-that-were/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/sun-tzu-283_art_thus-though-i-have-heard-of-successful-m_788949.jpg)

> [“Thus, though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/thus-though-we-have-heard-of-stupid-haste-in-war-cleverness-has-never/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b2/sun-tzu-283_procrastination_thus-though-we-have-heard-of-stupid-hast_1344909.jpg)

> [Therefore the victories of good warriors are not noted for cleverness or bravery. Therefore their victories in battle are not flukes. Their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/therefore-the-victories-of-good-warriors-are-not-noted-for-cleverness/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbb/sun-tzu-283_battle_therefore-the-victories-of-good-warriors_2339075.jpg)

## Other authors on Cleverness

## More by Sun Tzu

> [It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-our-forces-are-ten-to-the-enemy-s-one-to/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [It is according to the shapes that I lay the plans for victory, but the multitude does not comprehend this. Although everyone can see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-according-to-the-shapes-that-i-lay-the-plans-for-victory-but/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [Go into emptiness, strike voids, bypass what he defends hit him where he does not expect you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/go-into-emptiness-strike-voids-bypass-what-he-defends-hit-him-where/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [“In a similar way, The Art of War pinpoints anger and greed as fundamental causes of defeat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-a-similar-way-the-art-of-war-pinpoints-anger-and-greed-as/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [“The PEOPLE being regarded as the essential part of the State, and FOOD as the people's heaven, is it not right that those in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-people-being-regarded-as-the-essential-part-of-the-state-and-food/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/therefore-the-good-fighter-will-be-terrible-in-his-onset-and-prompt/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-enemy-s-spies-who-have-come-to-spy-on-us-must-be-sought-out/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [“So long as victory can be attained,  stupid haste is preferable to clever dilatoriness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/so-long-as-victory-can-be-attained-stupid-haste-is-preferable-to/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [“You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/you-can-ensure-the-safety-of-your-defense-if-you-only-hold-positions/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [“Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/hence-when-able-to-attack-we-must-seem-unable-when-using-our-forces/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/if-we-do-not-wish-to-fight-we-can-prevent-the-enemy-from-engaging-us/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [“The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-general-who-wins-a-battle-makes-many-calculations-in-his-temple/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-all-fighting-the-direct-method-may-be-used-for-joining-battle-but/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [“To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/to-begin-by-bluster-but-afterwards-to-take-fright-at-the-enemy-s/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [ They \[spies\] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/they-spies-cannot-be-properly-managed-without-benevolence-and/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

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