An army is shaped like water.

What it means

Water has no fixed form; it takes the shape the ground gives it. Sun Tzu wants strategy that flows the same way. Stay fluid enough to fit whatever terrain you meet.

The source

"An army is shaped like water." Sun Tzu said it in The Art of War 6 (Weak Points and Strong). Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

"夫兵形象水，水之行，避高而趨下；兵之勝，避實而擊虛。"

Original Chinese, The Art of War 6 (Weak Points and Strong). Text read at zh.wikisource.org.

Who said it

Sun Tzu (c. 5th century BC). Chinese general traditionally credited with The Art of War, a short book on strategy that values preparation, deception and winning without battle. It has been read by commanders, athletes and founders ever since.

Questions

What does "An army is shaped like water." mean?

Water has no fixed form; it takes the shape the ground gives it. Sun Tzu wants strategy that flows the same way. Stay fluid enough to fit whatever terrain you meet.

Who said "An army is shaped like water."?

Sun Tzu (c. 5th century BC). Source: The Art of War 6 (Weak Points and Strong).

What is the original Chinese?

夫兵形象水，水之行，避高而趨下；兵之勝，避實而擊虛。. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

Is "An army is shaped like water." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"An army is shaped like water." (Sun Tzu, The Art of War 6 (Weak Points and Strong), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/an-army-is-shaped-like-water