Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu was a Chinese military general, philosopher, and author who became famous for his treatise on war, The Art of War. The book is believed to have been written over two thousand years ago and is still one of the most influential works on strategy and tactics. Sun Tzu’s teachings are still used in military academies and business schools around the world and his ideas are still applied to modern business, politics, and a whole range of other areas.

Sun Tzu was born in the state of Qi in what is now known as the Shanxi province in modern day China. He wrote The Art of War in the sixth-century BC and it would go on to become one of the most influential works of strategy ever written. Prior to writing his book, Sun Tzu served as a military strategist in the court of King Ho-Lü of the state of Wu and is credited with leading the Chinese army to victory in a number of battles. He was also known for his skill in mediation and later served as an adviser and general in the court of the Qin dynasty in 535 BC.

Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is composed of 13 books on strategy and tactics, the central thought of which is “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting”. Sun Tzu advocated the use of tactics and strategy in war rather than direct confrontation and his theories are still relevant today. He wrote about the use of spies, maintaining morale, developing innovative strategies, and using deception. He also wrote that “The skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.”

Sun Tzu’s philosophies have been applied in many ways, from the corporate world to the military. His ideas on strategy and tactics are used by military commanders and business leaders alike to gain an advantage in achieving their goals. His writings emphasize the importance of planning and preparation, the ability to think ahead, and the advantages that can be gained from studying the environment and learning about the enemy.

Even centuries after Sun Tzu’s death his ideas still have relevance in the modern world. The Art of War has been translated into many languages and read around the world for hundreds of years. The book is still popular today and are regularly consulted by people from a variety of fields, from politics to business to sports. The ideas developed by Sun Tzu can be seen in many strategic and tactical theories throughout the world and will continue to be a source of inspiration for generations to come.