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
commander good
A good commander is benevolent and unconcerned with fame.
If your opponent is of choleric temper, irritate him.
breaking chinese-philosopher consists enemies resistance supreme
Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
account art death either hence importance inquiry life matter road safety subject vital war
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.
chinese-philosopher doubt enemy heaven stand victory
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.
attack importance supreme war
Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.
chinese-philosopher disaster hundred
Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.
chinese-philosopher
He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious.
force power reveal
Balk the enemy's power; force him to reveal himself.
instance prolonged war
There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.
chinese-philosopher lies-and-lying victory
Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack.
chinese-philosopher fear hundred results
If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.
war moving fighting
No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.
wise art war
The ultimate in disposing one's troops is to be without ascertainable shape. Then the most penetrating spies cannot pry in nor can the wise lay plans against you.