Sun Tzu was a military strategist, writer, and philosopher. He was the most influential Chinese military general and Taoist.
He is traditionally believed to be the author of “The Art of War,” an influential piece of military strategy that has influenced both Western and East Asian philosophies and military ideas.
The book covers various operations and the impact of terrain on the outcome of the battle. It emphasizes the importance of accurate information about enemy troops, placement and deployment, and movement. To date, his work has influenced not only modern warfare but also culture, politics, business, and sports.
Let us look at some of the most famous quotes by Sun Tzu on leadership and strategy.
Sun Tzu’ Quotes On Leadership
Sun Tzu’s fearlessness and precocious mind proved him to be the best leader that can be easily understood by his achievements in history. His quotes have impacted people in the most amazing way – let’s look at some of the most powerful quotes on leadership by Sun Tzu.
“Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.”- Sun Tzu
“Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy; forceful execution of even a poor plan can often bring victory.” – Sun Tzu
“When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixed duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization.” – Sun Tzu
“The control of large numbers is possible, and like unto that of small numbers if we subdivide them.”- Sun Tzu
“Leadership is a matter of intelligence, trustworthiness, humaneness, courage, and sternness.” – Sun Tzu
“He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.” – Sun Tzu
“When I have won a victory I do not repeat my tactics but respond to circumstances in an infinite variety of ways.” – Sun Tzu
“Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.” – Sun Tzu
“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.” – Sun Tzu
“Correct your mistake as soon as you have found it.” – Sun Tzu
“Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.”- Sun Tzu
“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” – Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu’ Quotes On Strategy
Sun Tzu is a perfect example of the political mind to win over enemies. His art of using philosophy, cleverness, and wit to avoid unnecessary and hasty physical conflicts on the battlefield shows his greatest influence on war strategy.
“The peak efficiency of knowledge and strategy is to make conflict unnecessary.” – Sun Tzu
“It is the business of a general to be serene and inscrutable, impartial and self-controlled.” – Sun Tzu
“Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy’s troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.” – Sun Tzu
“Great results can be achieved with small forces.” – Sun Tzu
“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night.” – Sun Tzu
“Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.”– Sun Tzu
“Don’t flail against the world, use it. Flexibility is the operative principle in the art of war.” – Sun Tzu
“He wins his battles by making no mistakes.” – Sun Tzu
“These are the six ways of courting defeat – neglect to estimate the enemy’s strength; want of authority; defective training; unjustifiable anger; nonobservance of discipline; failure to use picked men.” – Sun Tzu
“Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow.” – Sun Tzu
“Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength.” – Sun Tzu
“The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.” – Sun Tzu
“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.”– Sun Tzu
“The height of strategy is to attack your opponent’s strategy.” – Sun Tzu
Which of these Sun Tzu quotes was your favorite?
Sun Tzu was the author of the highly influential work of military strategy who had the greatest impact on western as well as eastern philosophy. And due to his originality of work, he is considered to be one of the greatest war leaders and strategists.
