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
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.
strength strong peace
If their forces are substantial, prepare for them; if their forces are strong, avoid them.
peace art-of-war covenant
Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.
strength peace art-of-war
Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.
strength peace war
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
peace art-of-war fighting
To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
strength peace war
The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities...It is best to win without fighting.
peaceful rely
He who relies solely on warlike measures shall be exterminated; he who relies solely on peaceful measures shall perish.
captures cities disputes forces intact kingdom laying leader lengthy mastery operations siege troops
The skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field. With his forces intact he disputes the mastery of the emp
art blunders giving minor orders petty rectify swayed
The art of giving orders is not to try to rectify the minor blunders and not to be swayed by petty doubts.
battles breaking conquer conquest consists excellence fight resistance supreme
To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
victory
So it is said that victory can be made.
dark fall night plans
Let your plans be dark and as impenetratable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
chinese-philosopher country instance prolonged
There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.