Sun Tzu Life Lessons: 9 Rules Of Life For Success & Peace

3 min read

Sun Tzu Life Lessons:

We live in a life of uncertain times and a fast-paced world.

Following the Chinese Sun Tzu Art of War life lessons, philosophy and principles,

here are 9 Rules in Life to win.

1. Know Yourself.

You have to know what you want in life. Stop chasing. Do a self-reflection.

Then, find out your strengths and weaknesses.

Next, you must develop the necessary skills and gather resources to make yourself powerful.

Lao Tzu, who was considered the founder of Taoism, mentioned in his text, Tao Te Ching,

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.

Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.

2. Be in Harmony With People. Get Along With People.

You need people to succeed in life. Adapt and blend with them. In return, they will support you and help you.

People are your network and alliance that can help your career and business.

3. Get Rid of Toxic People.

In his Art Of War, Sun Tzu spoke about "knowing yourself and knowing your enemy.". Here, you must identify and understand the enemy. There are people with whom you cannot be in harmony.

Stay away from people who are negative-minded or have bad intentions.

They will bring you down with them.

4. Don't Talk So Much.

Don't share your personal feelings and goals.

Say only what you need to say. Nothing more, nothing less. People may use your information against you or to their advantage.

If needed, Sun Tzu advocates being tricky and cunning so your people who are toxic do not know your intentions and goals.

Maintain privacy about your feelings and goals, especially in untrustworthy environments, to avoid vulnerabilities.

Communicate clearly and concisely, sharing only necessary information to protect your personal life and prevent manipulation.

Sun Tzu suggests being strategically vague about your intentions to safeguard against those with toxic behaviors or ulterior motives.

This approach protects your interests and helps navigate complex social dynamics while observing others' intentions without exposing yourself to harm.

5. Be Patient.

You cannot chase success.

Work to improve and prepare yourself for success.

Success comes through preparation and opportunity. Be patient.

As Sun Tzu says,

A strong defense against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

You have to be patient with your opportunities, and meanwhile, you should focus on building the necessary skills that help you achieve your goal.

6. Always Analyse.

In life, whatever you do, always analyze and think before you take action. You will make fewer mistakes in life just by simply slowing down and thinking it through.

Sun Tzu always studies and observes the movement and behavior of his enemies. So it would be best if you also analyzed everything you are pursuing.

In life, if you practice hard will make you good. Analyzing every time you practice will make you a master.

You should always reflect and evaluate, which gives you a better perspective and will make your work smoother and make fewer mistakes.

7. Keep Life Simple. Live a Simple Life.

In "The Art of War," Sun Tzu noted that his soldiers are not fixated on longevity or wealth. It's not that they don't desire a long life or riches; they simply aren't attached to them.

Keep life simple and less complicated. Live for today.

You have more clarity to think, and you will have peace. Sun Tzu followed the teachings of Lao Tzu, who said

If you are living in the past, you are depressed. If you are living in the future, you are anxious. If you are living today, you are at peace.

8. Do Not Be Attached, and Follow the Middle Way.

Do not be attached to material possessions, relationships, and the constant pursuit of pleasures.

Stick to the middle way, where you practice balance and harmony by keeping everything in moderation.

9. Be Like Water.

Water has no shape, so there are no constant conditions in life.

Change and adapt to your environment accordingly. Go with the flow.

In life, we face many obstacles and surprises. We must learn to be flexible and change along the way.

Water's shapelessness symbolizes life's changing nature. Like water, we adapt to shifting experiences, constantly embracing change.

This fluidity emphasizes adaptability, as rigidity impedes thriving. Embracing change means engaging with and creatively responding to our environment.

By navigating obstacles, we transform setbacks into growth opportunities. Life's challenges test our resolve, requiring flexibility and an open mindset. This adaptability fosters growth and resilience, helping us emerge stronger.

Ultimately, flowing like water through life's unpredictability allows us to see change as an opportunity, navigating complexities with grace and confidence, turning challenges into valuable lessons.

Follow these practical 9 rules in Sun Tzu life lessons to win.

That’s the Sun Tzu Art Of War for Winning.