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
country soldier allies
The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally
art war soldier
Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve.
art war soldier
When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.
war punishment soldier
If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless.
soldier height ladders
The business of a general is to kick away the ladder behind soldiers when they have climbed up a height.
war order soldier
If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders are clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers.
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.
forbid result ruler sure though
If fighting is sure to result in victory, than you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding.
country war
There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited.