Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzuwas a Chinese general, military strategist, and philosopher who lived in the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. Sun Tzu is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, a widely influential work of military strategy that has affected both Western and Eastern philosophy. Aside from his legacy as the author of The Art of War, Sun Tzu is revered in Chinese and Asian culture as a legendary historical figure. His birth name was Sun Wu,...
NationalityChinese
ProfessionPhilosopher
CountryChina
war enemy needs
One need not destroy one's enemy. One need only destroy his willingness to engage.
rivers long waiting
Wait by the river long enough and the body of your enemy will float by you.
opponents height strategy
The height of strategy, is to attack your opponent's strategy.
art war fighting
He who wishes to fight must first count the cost. When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men's weapons will grow dull and their ardor will be dampened. If you lay siege to a town, you will exhaust your strength.
espionage
There is no place where espionage is not possible.
strength peace art
In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected.
cubs tigers
Unless you enter the tiger's lair, you cannot get hold of the tiger's cub's.
punishment stupidity together
One whose troops repeatedly congregate in small groups here and there, whispering together, has lost the masses. One who frequently grants rewards is in deep distress. One who frequently imposes punishments is in great difficulty. One who is at first excessively brutal and then fears the masses is the pinnacle of stupidity.
war following-instructions giving
It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you. Give them instructions and care for them. Thus double agents are recruited and used.
army secret agents
Of all those in the army close to the commander, none is more intimate than the secret agent.
secret agents rewards
Of all rewards none [is] more liberal than those given to secret agents.
war enemy advantage
For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards.
justice wheels investing
The Wheels of Justice turn slowly but exceedingly fine.
art war men
When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixed duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization.