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 army long
If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.
war fall people
Confront them with annihilation, and they will then survive; plunge them into a deadly situation, and they will then live. When people fall into danger, they are then able to strive for victory.
country art war
In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good.
war nations
No nation has ever benefited from a prolonged war.
fighting warrior be-prepared
A warrior who is prepared to fight must also be prepared to die.
army winning long
When you do battle, even if you are winning, if you continue for a long time it will dull your forces and blunt you edge...If you keep your armies out in the field for a long time, your supplies will be insufficient. Transportation of provisions itself consumes 20 times the amount transported.
army fire use
There are five kinds of incendiary attack: The first is called setting fire to personnel; the second, to stores; the third, to transport vehicles and equipment; the fourth, to munitions; the fifth, to supply installations...In all cases an army must understand the changes induced by the five kinds of incendiary attack, and make use of logistical calculations to address them.
effectiveness support regulation
And regulation entails organizational effectiveness, a chain of command, and a structure for logistical support.
agents sovereign treated
The sovereign must have full knowledge of the activities of the five sorts of agents. This knowledge must come from the double agents, and therefore it is mandatory that they be treated with the utmost liberality.
strength strong peace
If their forces are substantial, prepare for them; if their forces are strong, avoid them.
thousand
Kill one, terrify a thousand.
art-of-war water shapes
Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.
enemy
Keep your fiends close and your enemies even closer.
successful skills outcomes
The successful person has unusual skill at dealing with conflict and ensuring the best outcome for all.