Sun Tzu (544-496 B.C) was a Chinese general, military strategist, writer, and philosopher who lived in the Eastern Zhou period of ancient China. Sun Tzu is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, an influential work of military strategy that has affected both Western and East Asian philosophy and military thinking. His works focus much more on alternatives to battle, such as stratagem, delay, the use of spies and alternatives to war itself, the making and keeping of alliances, the uses of deceit, and a willingness to submit, at least temporarily, to more powerful foes. Sun Tzu is revered in Chinese and East Asian culture as a legendary historical and military figure. His birth name was Sun Wu (Chinese: 孫武) and he was known outside of his family by his courtesy name Changqing. The name Sun Tzu by which he is best known in the Western World is an honorific which means “Master Sun”.

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o The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

o Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price.

o It is more important to outhink your enemy, than to outfight him

o In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.

o If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know o 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.

o Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.

o All warfare is based on deception. Therefore, when capable, feign incapacity; when active, inactivity. When near, make it appear that you are far away; when far away, that you are to lure him; feign disorder and strike him. When he concentrates, prepare against him; where he is strong, avoid him. Anger his general and confuse him. Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.

o Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.

o If you are strong, appear weak. But if you are weak, appear strong.

o The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

o Wait by the river long enough and the body of your enemy will float by you.

o 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.

o Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm

o Pretend to be weak, so your enemy may grow arrogant.

o Sweat more during peace: bleed less during war

o Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow.

o A leader leads by example not by force.

o 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.

o One need not destroy one’s enemy. One need only destroy his willingness to engage.

o He who relies solely on warlike measures shall be exterminated; he who relies solely on peaceful measures shall perish.

o To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.

o He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.

o However desperate the situation and circumstances, don’t despair. When there is everything to fear, be unafraid. When surrounded by dangers, fear none of them. When without resources, depend on resourcefulness. When surprised, take the enemy by surprise.

o Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.

o The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.

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