Sun Tzu Biography

Sun Tzu, Philosopher
Born asSun Wu
Occup.Philosopher
FromChina
Born544 BC
Qi, China
Died496 BC
Qi, China
CauseNatural Causes
Sun Tzu, birthed around 544 BC as well as died around 496 BC, was a renowned Chinese army strategist, thinker, as well as writer recognized for his ageless treatise, "The Art of War." Born in an unstable age in which different Chinese states were constantly up in arms, Sun Tzu's knowledge and mentors have affected military method, national politics, as well as organization for over 2 centuries, and also are still relevant in the modern age.

Sun Tzu, also called Sunlight Wu, was birthed in the sovereign state of Qi in ancient China, the oldest child of a popular, stylish household. Details of Sun Tzu's life are limited and also shrouded in secret, but it is extensively believed that he acted as a military general for King Helü of the state of Wu. It was during his solution to King Helü that Sun Tzu started combining his suggestions on armed forces strategy as well as strategies into "The Art of War."

The core principle of "The Art of Battle" hinges on the suggestion that the most skilled strategists are those that can win wars without engaging in real fight. Sun Tzu stressed the value of intelligence, deceptiveness, as well as utilizing the environment to shape fights in favor of the strategist. His primary focus was to achieve success at marginal expense, thinking about both human lives and also sources, reflecting the Chinese principle of consistency and also balance.

Sun Tzu's mentors have actually been admired and also examined by numerous historic numbers, including Chinese emperors and military leaders such as Cao Cao, Zhuge Liang, and also Emperor Taizong of Flavor. The influence of "The Art of War" expands beyond China, as it has actually been integrated right into Japanese samurai culture, as well as being examined by popular Western army leaders such as Napoleon Bonaparte and also United States generals like Douglas MacArthur and also Norman Schwarzkopf Jr

. In addition to his army success, Sun Tzu was also known for being a proficient diplomat. Performing in an ability similar to that of contemporary ambassadors, he would certainly offer his leader's case at the courts of other Chinese states, playing a key role in establishing partnerships and non-aggression deals. His political skills were appreciated by his contemporaries, and also it is said that his polite capabilities were necessary in sealing the credibility of the Wu state.

Sun Tzu's impact on history can not be overstated, and his teachings have transcended the world of military technique. In business, sporting activities, as well as also daily life, many people aim to Sun Tzu's works to locate lessons on creating effective strategies, adapting to changing conditions, and comprehending humanity. Despite the advances in innovation and the nature of battle, the underlying knowledge of "The Art of War"-- to seek the most effective and also effective ways to an end-- stays classic.

Finally, Sun Tzu was a great armed forces general and thinker, whose masterpiece "The Art of Battle" has touched the lives of many people throughout background. His emphasis on winning without battling and achieving triumph at marginal cost resonates with many, as well as his influence remains to be really felt in the contemporary age. Sun Tzu's work and knowledge will likely stay substantial for many years to find.

Our collection contains 43 quotes who is written / told by Sun, under the main topics: Leadership - Imagination - War.

Related authors: Napoleon Bonaparte (Leader), Douglas MacArthur (Soldier), Cao Cao (Statesman), Chin-Ning Chu (Author), Norman Schwarzkopf (Soldier), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)

Sun Tzu Famous Works:
Source / external links:

43 Famous quotes by Sun Tzu

Small: Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance
"Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance"
Small: Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of s
"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"
Small: Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster
"Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster"
Small: Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories
"Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories"
Small: You have to believe in yourself
"You have to believe in yourself"
Small: When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce
"When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce"
Small: Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek
"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win"
Small: To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence
"To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence"
Small: To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence supreme excellence consists in breaki
"To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting"
Small: Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemys strategy
"Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy"
Small: Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, wher
"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"
Small: There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare
"There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare"
Small: Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before
"Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat"
Small: Secret operations are essential in war upon them the army relies to make its every move
"Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move"
Small: Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys look on them a
"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"
Small: If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles
"If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles"
Small: If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near
"If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near"
Small: If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches if t
"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"
Small: If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril
"If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril"
Small: Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend and he is skilful i
"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"
Small: He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious
"He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious"
Small: He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious
"He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious"
Small: For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy w
"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"
Small: For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards
"For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards"
Small: Confront them with annihilation, and they will then survive plunge them into a deadly situation, and th
"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"
Small: Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?
"Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?"
Small: All warfare is based on deception
"All warfare is based on deception"
Small: All war is deception
"All war is deception"
Small: All war is based on deception
"All war is based on deception"
Small: All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which vic
"All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved"
Small: It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army
"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"
Small: It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe th
"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"
Small: Invincibility lies in the defence the possibility of victory in the attack
"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack"
Small: In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemys country whole and intact to sh
"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"
Small: Opportunities multiply as they are seized
"Opportunities multiply as they are seized"
Small: Of all those in the army close to the commander none is more intimate than the secret agent of all rewa
"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"
Small: Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and the
"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"
Small: The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought.
"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"
Small: The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution
"The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution"
Small: The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid m
"The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man"
Small: The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeat
"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"
Small: The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only though
"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"
Small: Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no
"Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared"