Mel Brooks
American actor, comedian, and filmmaker (born 1926)
Sun Tzu
6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
Sun Tzu was a legendary Chinese military strategist and philosopher who lived during the Eastern Zhou period. He is best known for his influential work, The Art of War, which has had a lasting impact on military thought and strategy worldwide. Sun Tzu’s teachings and principles have also been applied to various other domains, including business, governance, and sports.
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About the Sun Tzu
Sun Tzuwas a Chinese military general, strategist, philosopher, and writer who lived during the Eastern Zhou periodand he was known outside of his family by his courtesy name Changqing (Chinese: Chang Qing ). The name Sun Tzu–by which he is more popularly known–is an honorific which means “Master Sun”.
Sun Tzu mastered the military science of ancient China and created the military doctrine of asymmetrical warfare. According to it, an attack on the enemy should begin only after the enemy has no opportunity to either defend or counterattack. It was used in the wars in the era of the Warring States in ancient China (about 475-221 BC). Those combat combinations had specific names, descriptions and classifications.
Sun Tzu’s historicity is uncertain. The Han dynasty historian Sima Qian and other traditional Chinese historians placed him as a minister to King Helu of Wu and dated his lifetime to 544-496 BC. Modern scholars accepting his historicity place the extant text of The Art of War in the later Warring States period of 475 to 221 BC, based on its style of composition and its descriptions of warfare. Traditional accounts state that the general’s descendant Sun Bin wrote a treatise on military tactics, also titled The Art of War. Since both Sun Wu and Sun Bin were referred to as “Sun Tzu” in classical Chinese texts, some historians believed them identical, prior to the rediscovery of Sun Bin’s treatise in 1972.
Sun Tzu’s work has been praised and employed throughout the arc of East Asian military history since its composition, and eventually earned global attention. During the twentieth century, The Art of War grew in popularity and saw practical use in the Western world as well. It remains influential in many contemporary competitive endeavors across the modern world beyond military strategy and warfare, including espionage,
culture, governance, business, and sports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sun Tzu was a Chinese military general, strategist, philosopher, and writer who lived during the Eastern Zhou period (771–256 BC). He is traditionally credited as the author of the influential work The Art of War.
Sun Tzu is known for mastering the military science of ancient China and creating the military doctrine of asymmetrical warfare, which emphasizes attacking the enemy only when they have no opportunity to defend or counterattack.
Sun Tzu’s work, The Art of War, has had a profound influence on both Western and East Asian philosophy and military thought. It remains influential in many contemporary competitive endeavors beyond just military strategy, including espionage, culture, governance, business, and sports.
Sun Tzu’s birth name was Sun Wu, and he was known outside of his family by his courtesy name Changqing. The name Sun Tzu, by which he is more popularly known, is an honorific which means ,Master Sun,.
The historicity of Sun Tzu is uncertain, with some scholars placing him as a minister to King Helü of Wu and dating his lifetime to 544–496 BC, while others believe the extant text of The Art of War was written during the later Warring States period of 475 to 221 BC.
Sun Tzu’s military doctrine of asymmetrical warfare, which emphasizes attacking the enemy only when they have no opportunity to defend or counterattack, was used in the wars during the era of the Warring States in ancient China (about 475–221 BC).
Traditional accounts state that Sun Tzu’s descendant, Sun Bin, also wrote a treatise on military tactics titled The Art of War. Since both Sun Wu (Sun Tzu) and Sun Bin were referred to as ,Sun Tzu, in classical Chinese texts, some historians believed them to be the same person before the rediscovery of Sun Bin’s treatise in 1972.
48 Quotes by Sun Tzu
- 1.
For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 2.
To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 3.
Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 4.
Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 5.
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.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 6.
There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 7.
Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 8.
The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 9.
Of all those in the army close to the commander none is more intimate than the secret agent; of all rewards none more liberal than those given to secret agents; of all matters none is more confidential than those relating to secret operations.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 10.
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.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 11.
Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 12.
You have to believe in yourself.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 13.
The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 14.
The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 15.
For 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.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 16.
All war is deception.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 17.
Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 18.
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 19.
To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 20.
It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 21.
Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 22.
Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 23.
Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 24.
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.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 25.
If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 26.
The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 27.
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.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 28.
He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 29.
When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 30.
Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 31.
It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you. Give them instructions and care for them. Thus doubled agents are recruited and used.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 32.
There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 33.
The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 34.
He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 35.
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.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 36.
Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 37.
All warfare is based on deception.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 38.
If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 39.
Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 40.
The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 41.
All war is based on deception.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 42.
If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 43.
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 44.
Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 45.
Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 46.
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 47.
All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist
- 48.
Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack.
Sun Tzu6th century BC Chinese general and military strategist