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
art block war
On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not. On facile ground, halt not. On contentious ground, attack not. On open ground, do not try to block the enemy's way. On the ground of intersecting highways, join hands with your allies. On serious ground, gather in plunder. In difficult ground, keep steadily on the march. On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem. On desperate ground, fight.
art war ignorance
He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.
decision enemy defeat
Defeat the enemies strategy.
art war mind
Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports.
art-of-war doors enemy
If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.
art war spy
They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness.
art war spy
Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity.
art war men
Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men.
art war spirit
Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation.
art-of-war fighting numbers
The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points; and his forces being thus distributed in many directions, the numbers we shall have to face at any given point will be proportionately few.
country soldier allies
The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally
military army battle
Without harmony in the State, no military expedition can be undertaken; without harmony in the army, no battle array can be formed.
military art-of-war warrior
If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle
running art-of-war giving
At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.