Sun Tzu: Trending quotes (page 3)

Sun Tzu book The Art of War

The Art of War: Complete Texts and Commentaries

“The ultimate in disposing one's troops is to be without ascertainable shape. Then the most penetrating spies cannot pry in nor can the wise lay plans against you.”

Sun Tzu

Source: The Art of War, Chapter VI · Weaknesses and Strengths

“Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions.”

Sun Tzu

Source: The Art of War, Chapter XI · The Nine Battlegrounds

War , Travel , Speed

“Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness.”

Sun Tzu book The Art of War

Alternative translation: Subtle and insubstantial, the expert leaves no trace; divinely mysterious, he is inaudible. Thus he is master of his enemy's fate.
Alternative translation: O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands.
The Art of War, Chapter VI · Weaknesses and Strengths
Context: Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate.

“The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.”

Sun Tzu book The Art of War

(zh-TW) 孫子曰：國之上下，死生之地，存亡之道，不可不察也。
The Art of War, Chapter 1 · Detail Assessment and Planning

War , Life , Death , Art

“Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price.”

Sun Tzu

Attributed to Sun Tzu in multiple books and internet sites, but this text does not appear in The Art of War and seems to be a more recent creation.
Disputed

Victory

“One defends when his strength is inadequate; he attacks when it is abundant.”

Sun Tzu

Source: The Art of War, Chapter IV · Disposition of the Army

“Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical. No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life. Hence the enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution. This is the way to keep a country at peace and an army intact.”

Sun Tzu

Translation by Lionel Giles
Source: The Art of War, Chapter XII · Attacking with Fire

Life , Peace , Way , Change

“To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.”

Sun Tzu

Source: The Art of War, Chapter IV · Disposition of the Army

Victory

“The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.”

Sun Tzu

Source: The Art of War, Chapter V · Forces

Decision , Time

“If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.”

Sun Tzu

Source: The Art of War, Chapter XI · The Nine Battlegrounds

Money

“If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.”

Sun Tzu

"If his forces are united, separate them" is also interpreted: "If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them."
Source: The Art of War, Chapter I · Detail Assessment and Planning

Appearance

“And therefore those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him.”

Sun Tzu

Source: The Art of War, Chapter VI · Weaknesses and Strengths

War

“There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.”

Sun Tzu

Source: The Art of War, Chapter II · Waging War