Consulting the Archives...
Generating fresh insights specifically for this topic.
This may take a moment.
Generating fresh insights specifically for this topic.
This may take a moment.
Sun Tzu is best known for authoring 'The Art of War,' a thirteen-chapter military treatise that stands as the definitive guide to strategy and tactics in ancient and modern history. Each chapter is devoted to a different aspect of warfare, ranging from laying plans and waging war to the use of spies and the analysis of terrain. His approach was revolutionary because it shifted the focus from heroism and ritual combat to practical, analytical efficiency and psychological manipulation. Sun Tzu posited that war is a grave matter of the state that must be studied deeply; it is not a playground for emotional outbursts but a domain of calculation and logistics.
Military General · Strategist
Sun Tzu, historically known as Sun Wu, was a legendary ancient Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher who traditionally lived during the Eastern Zhou period of ancient China. He is universally revered as the author of 'The Art of War,' an influential work of military strategy that has profoundly affected both Western and East Asian philosophy and military thinking. Unlike commanders who prioritized brute strength and numerical superiority, Sun Tzu emphasized the supreme importance of positioning, espionage, deception, and the psychological dominance of the enemy. His philosophy transcends the battlefield, arguing that the highest form of generalship is to subdue the enemy without fighting at all. Today, his teachings on adaptability, the management of resources, and the vital importance of knowing oneself and one's opponent are studied not only by military academies but also by corporate leaders, litigators, and sports coaches worldwide, cementing his status as the father of strategic thought.
Featured highlights
"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity."
"Opportunities multiply as they are seized."
"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."
"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles."
"All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved."
"The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought."
"Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances."
"The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him."
"Ponder and deliberate before you make a move."
"To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill."
"Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat."
"He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious. This is the essence of calculated risk."
"He who wishes to fight must first count the cost."
"Move swift as the wind and closely-formed as the wood. Attack like the fire and be still as the mountain."
"Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across."
"If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him."
Source: Book: The Art of War, Chapter 6: Weak Points and Strong
"Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust."
"Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response."
"Great results can be achieved with small forces."
"One may know how to conquer without being able to do it."
"When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move."
"Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It keeps them settled while you anticipate the next move."
"The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself."
"To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy."
"Leadership is a matter of intelligence, trustworthiness, humaneness, courage, and sternness."
Quick answers about Sun Tzu.
Sun Tzu's work remains vital today because it provides a universal framework for resolving conflict and managing competition outside of physical warfare. His insights into leadership, preparation, and adaptability are foundational texts for modern business schools and political strategy.
To apply Sun Tzu's thinking, one must prioritize thorough preparation and data gathering ('knowing the enemy and yourself') before taking action. Additionally, practice flexibility in your plans, allowing you to adapt to changing circumstances rather than adhering rigidly to a failing strategy.
Search More
Jump to another topic, author, or pillar without leaving the archive.
"Sun Tzu teaches that true victory is achieved not through destruction, but through the superior application of wisdom and strategy."