SUN TZU
He places accurate judgment of self, opponent, and circumstance before combat, shaping conditions so unnecessary conflict can be avoided.
C. 5TH C. BCEChinese military thought · StrategyChina
Other names and spellings
손자 · 손무 · Sunzi · Sun Tsu
Core ideas
KNOW SELF AND ENEMYSTRATEGIC POSITIONCALCULATIONDECEPTIONWINNING WITHOUT FIGHTING
Works & sources
The Art of War, Chapter III, ‘Attack by Stratagem’ (Lionel Giles translation, 1910)
SUN TZU, a first reading
The Art of War examines the conditions and costs of conflict in judging the possibility of victory.
Winning without fighting: what does it mean?
Victory without battle is prized because war consumes people and resources. It concerns understanding the opposing sides and shaping favorable conditions, rather than a general rule to avoid every conflict.
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