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Cao Cao Quotes (155-220)
Emperor, Leader, King
About Cao Cao
Cáo Cāo (Chinese: 曹操; Wade-Giles: Ts'ao Ts'ao; c. 155 – March 15, 220) was a Chinese military leader, a regional warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty, who rose to great power during its final years in Ancient China. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the Kingdom of Wei (also known as Cáo Wèi) and was posthumously titled Emperor Wu of Wei (魏武帝)
Best Cao Cao Quotes
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Explore our curated collection of the most famous and impactful Cao Cao quotes.
“「彼各為其主，勿追也。」
• Translation: "Each man is for his lord, do not give chase."”
• Translation: "Each man is for his lord, do not give chase."”
“「寧我負人，毋人負我！」
• Translation: "I'd rather betray others, than have others betray me."”
• Translation: "I'd rather betray others, than have others betray me."”
“「知错改错，不认错。」
• Translation: "Recognise and acknowledge your mistake, but never admit your mistake".”
• Translation: "Recognise and acknowledge your mistake, but never admit your mistake".”
“「兵不在多在精，将不在猛在某」
• Translation: "It's not size that counts in an army, but skill. It's not prowess that counts in a General, but finesse.".”
• Translation: "It's not size that counts in an army, but skill. It's not prowess that counts in a General, but finesse.".”
“「宁可我负天下人，休叫天下人负我。」
• Translation: "I will rather I wronged all the people under the heavens than for all the people under the heavens to wrong me."”
• Translation: "I will rather I wronged all the people under the heavens than for all the people under the heavens to wrong me."”
“「吾任天下之智力，以道御之，無所不可．」
• "I would employ the wise and strong of the empire, using righteousness to lead them. In this way, nothing is impossible."”
• "I would employ the wise and strong of the empire, using righteousness to lead them. In this way, nothing is impossible."”
Cao Cao Quotes by Topic
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Cao Cao on Dynasty Warriors 14 quotes
View all 14 quotes on Dynasty Warriors →
What Cao Cao Said About Others
Discover personal opinions Cao Cao shared regarding contemporaries.
Cao Cao on Sun Tzu
“Sun Tzu’s success teaches us that a successful general is one who fully calculates his approach and plans to fight in a battle. However, the average reader is not able to identify Sun Tzu’s teachings on a deeper or philosophical level. This is my reason for writing and exegeses on the Art of War.”
About Cao Cao
Cáo Cāo (Chinese: 曹操; Wade-Giles: Ts'ao Ts'ao; c. 155 – March 15, 220) was a Chinese military leader, a regional warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty, who rose to great power during its final years in Ancient China. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the Kingdom of Wei (also known as Cáo Wèi) and was posthumously titled Emperor Wu of Wei (魏武帝)