Quotes from Miyamoto Musashi, Sun Tzu, Laozi.
Ancient Eastern Philosophers' Quotes
Every battle is won before it’s ever fought.
—Sun Tzu
To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill.
To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.
—Sun Tzu
When a foolish man hears of the Tao, he laughs out loud.
—Laozi
Therefore the Master remains serene in the midst of sorrow.
—Laozi
Accept everything just the way it is.
—Miyamoto Musashi
The Master views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole.
—Laozi
One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.
—Sun Tzu
What he desires is non-desire; what he learns is to unlearn.
—Laozi
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.
—Sun Tzu
By reinforcing every part, he weakens every part.
—Sun Tzu
When the government is too intrusive, people lose their spirit.
—Laozi
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
When there is no desire, all things are at peace.
—Laozi
The more you use it, the more it produces; the more you talk of it, the less you understand.
—Laozi
Order or disorder depends on organisation; courage or cowardice on circumstances; strength or weakness on dispositions.
—Sun Tzu
Yet mystery and manifestations arise from the same source.
—Laozi
It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.
—Sun Tzu
When they think that they know the answers, people are difficult to guide.
—Laozi
The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points.
—Sun Tzu
Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
—Sun Tzu
When the Master governs, the people are hardly aware that he exists.
—Laozi
For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill.
To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.
—Sun Tzu
Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear?
—Laozi
Do nothing that is of no use.
—Miyamoto Musashi
Try to make people moral, and you lay the groundwork for vice.
—Laozi
When the ancient Masters said, “If you want to be given everything, give everything up,” they weren’t using empty phrases.
—Laozi
If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.
—Sun Tzu
The Tao is like a bellows: it is empty yet infinitely capable.
—Laozi
From one thing, know ten thousand things
—Miyamoto Musashi
Do not act following customary beliefs.
—Miyamoto Musashi