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
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
consists enemy excellence supreme warfare
Supreme excellence in warfare consists of subduing the enemy without fighting.
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.
art war moving
When the enemy is at ease, be able to weary him; when well fed, to starve him; when at rest, to make him move. Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
art war fighting
If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely traced out on the ground. All we need to do is to throw something odd and unaccountable in his way.
art clever war
A clever general... avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods. Disciplined and calm, he awaits the appearance of disorder and hubbub among the enemy. This is the art of retaining self-possession.