Sun Tzu was a Chinese general that specialized in military tactics and strategic warfare. In his most renown writing, ‘The Art of War’, Tzu applies his philosophical background and warfare expertise to devise a compilation of tools that are the key to conquering many wars.
The greatest charm of this book is that it is not restricted only to the battle field. In the macro perspective, many people are facing their own wars. Whether its with alcohol, procrastination, or their journey to top of a business chain; this book provides principles that will help many accomplish their goal and win their war.
The most captivating aspect about this text is that regardless of its age, it still stands as an extremely relevant book today. Here are some of the most notable quotes from the book.
“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
“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.”
“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”
“Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.”
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
“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.”
“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”
“Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate.”
“It is easy to love your friend, but sometimes the hardest lesson to learn is to love your enemy.”
“Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.”
