Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu

c. 544 BCE, State of Qi, Ancient China - c. 496 BCE, State of Wu, Ancient China
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“I made the king’s favorites march; when they laughed at my orders, I answered with the blade.”

I am Sun Wu, called Sunzi. Born in Qi, I served the state of Wu. For King Helü I arranged thirteen terse chapters on war. They begin with calculation: measure ground and tempers, weigh strength and purpose, set command straight before banners rise.

When Helü doubted that troops would obey, I drilled his palace women. I beat the drum, gave clear signals, and they laughed. I said: if orders are unclear, the general is at fault; if clear and not obeyed, the officers are at fault. I beheaded the chiefs. Then the ranks turned as one. Discipline spares lives.

I teach to take whole. Attack plans first, then alliances, then armies, and last of all, walls. Shun protracted war. Do not spend men against stone. Shape the enemy with feints; show the near as far, the far as near; be formless until he parts his armor, then strike.

Victory grows before movement. Full wagons, clear signals, strict reward and punishment—these keep men steady. Foreknowledge comes from men, not spirits: five kinds of spies, used together. I wrote for rulers and captains so that thought might save blood.

What I Leave Behind

  • I set thirteen chapters on war in order for King Helü of Wu.
  • I drilled Helü’s palace women and executed their leaders to prove command rests with the general.
  • I forbade futile sieges and warned against protracted campaigns that exhaust the state.
  • I made deception and formlessness tools to shape the enemy before battle.
  • I used five kinds of spies to gain foreknowledge and break plans.

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