Sun Tzu is without question the most famous Chinese military strategist and general in history, mainly known for The Art of War, a treatise on military strategy. This work cemented his legacy as a legendary figure in Chinese military history and continues to have a significant impact on global history and culture. His birth name was Sun Wu, but he was known outside his family by his royal name, Changqing. The name Sun Tzu, by which he was introduced to the West, is an honorific that means “Master Sun.” According to Ralph D. Sawyer’s book The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China, Sun Tzu’s historicity is uncertain. Sima Qian, widely considered the father of Chinese historiography, as well as other traditional historians, placed him as a minister to King Helü of Wu and dated his lifetime to 544–496 BCE. On the other hand, most modern scholars—accepting his historical authenticity—place the existing text of The Art of War in the later Warring States period based on its composition style and description of warfare. Despite the dispute among historians about the age in which Sun Tzu lived, his work continues to influence many competitive endeavors worldwide within the arenas of culture, politics, business, and modern warfare. Enjoy these 25 Sun Tzu Quotes To Help You Succeed In Everything.
There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Wikipedia All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Wikipedia Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: commons.wikimedia.org If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Wikipedia Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent’s fate.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Wikipedia 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, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment—that which they cannot anticipate.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Wikipedia To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Wikipedia Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Wikipedia Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Wikipedia Move swift as the Wind and closely formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Wikipedia The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Wikipedia Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: commons.wikimedia.org When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Wikipedia Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Pixabay Know yourself and you will win all battles.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Wikipedia Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Wikipedia Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Shutterstock There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard. There are not more than five primary colors, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen. There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations of them yield more flavors than can ever be tasted.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Shutterstock When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Wikipedia If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: YouTube The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Wikipedia A leader leads by example, not by force.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Wikipedia Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Shutterstock Appear weak when you are strong and strong when you are weak.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Shutterstock You have to believe in yourself.
Source: The Art of War (Book), Image: Shutterstock Lists Going Viral Right Now
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