This frequently-cited Sun Tzu Art of War quote often requires rereading. Quote #3: Victorious warriors win first and then go to war. This type of discontinuity can expose vulnerabilities in their tactics, which provides you with opportunities to attack.If there is discord between civilians and leadership, there may be a lack of support for your enemy’s actions.For instance, if you know your enemy is a savage leader, their relationship with the civilian population will likely include discord.Many leaders are aware of these advantageous traits, but only those who incorporate them into their leadership practices will succeed. You should prepare to enter into conflict only when the outcome shows the likelihood of success for your side.If you understand both your strengths and efficiency and those of your enemy, you can realistically compare the two and predict the likelihood of victory during conflicts.Then, assess these five traits for your enemy to size up the competition. “If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt.” To know your enemy, first understand its strengths and weaknesses.įirst, you should assess these five traits regarding your forces. This is another popular Sun Tzu Art of War quote. Quote #2: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the results of a hundred battles. Your opponent may fall victim to greed or an inflated ego, which will confuse and hinder their strategy when the truth is revealed. This is why this is one of the most notable Sun Tzu Art of War quotes.Īnother example is allowing your opponent to win small victories or gains.
When they prepare an attack under that guise, they will be ill-prepared for the full strength of your forces. Appear weak when you are strong.įor instance, creating a scenario where only a small portion of your force is visible can mislead opponents into thinking they outnumber or outarm you. Appearing to be weak, unprepared, or small in size can lure your opponent into traps and make them susceptible to misguided actions or responses. As a well-known translation of Sun Tzu puts it, “ all warfare is based on deception.”ĭeception includes feigning weakness when you are strong or professing ignorance when you are informed. Controlling their beliefs about your abilities helps you understand their assumptions and plan a strategy accordingly. The goal of any conflict is to control your opponent and overcome them. This is one of the most famous Sun Tzu Art of War quotes. Quote #1: Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. We’ll cover some of the most valuable of the Sun Tzu Art of War quotes and what Tzu meant by them. Although his teachings are geared toward actual military conflict, the principles can be useful in all arenas of conflict or competition, even at a personal level.
Written more than two thousand years ago, Sun Tzu, a Chinese warrior and philosopher, details the nature of competition and psychology of leadership and provides strategies for how to approach both. The Art of War by Sun Tzu is a renowned guide for how to engage in conflict and be successful in battle. What are some of the most famous Sun Tzu Art of War quotes? What do they mean?
Like this article? Sign up for a free trial here. Shortform has the world's best summaries of books you should be reading. This article is an excerpt from the Shortform summary of "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu.