Sun Tzu Quotes on Knowledge
Sun Tzu was a Chinese strategist of the late Spring and Autumn period, traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, the earliest and most influential treatise on military strategy in the world's literature. This page collects quotes attributed to Sun Tzu on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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Attributed to Sun Tzu:
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”
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“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”
是故勝兵先勝而後求戰，敗兵先戰而後求勝。 -
Attributed to Sun Tzu:
“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory; tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”
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“兵者，國之大事 ，死生之地，存亡之道，不可不察也。”
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. -
“兵者，詭道也。故能而示之不能，用而示之不用，近而示之遠，遠而示之近，”
All warfare is based on deception . Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. | Variant translations | A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, -
“Variant translations”
兵者，詭道也。故能而示之不能，用而示之不用，近而示之遠，遠而示之近， -
“實而備之，強而避之，怒而撓之，卑而驕之，佚而勞之，親而離之，出其不意，攻其不備。”
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. | Note: "If his forces are united, sepa -
“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.”
實而備之，強而避之，怒而撓之，卑而驕之，佚而勞之，親而離之，出其不意，攻其不備。 -
“Note: "If his forces are united, separate them" is also interpreted: "If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them.”
實而備之，強而避之，怒而撓之，卑而驕之，佚而勞之，親而離之，出其不意，攻其不備。 -
“Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.”
亂而取之 -
“Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance .”
卑則驕之