Sun Tzu 544 BC – 496 BC
Sun Tzu was a Chinese strategist of the late Spring and Autumn period, traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, the earliest and most influential treatise on military strategy in the world's literature. The work treats warfare as an extension of political life and develops a philosophy of action centered on the rational assessment of conditions, the management of information, the indirect approach, and the goal of victory without battle. Although composed for the prince and the general, it has been read for two and a half millennia as a guide to strategy in politics, business, and the conduct of life.
Key facts
- Nationality
- Chinese
- Era
- Ancient
Selected quotes
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Attributed to Sun Tzu:
“All warfare is based on deception.”
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Attributed to Sun Tzu:
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
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Attributed to Sun Tzu:
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”
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Attributed to Sun Tzu:
“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”
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Attributed to Sun Tzu:
“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”