Sun Tzu

Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight; do not attack soldiers whose temper is keen. Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” is a classic text on military strategy, still relevant today in many areas of life. One of the principles discussed in the book is to avoid pursuing an enemy who simulates flight and […]

It is a military axiom not to advance uphill against the enemy, nor to oppose him when he comes downhill. Sun Tzu’s military axiom that “it is not wise to advance uphill against the enemy, nor to oppose him when he comes downhill” is a principle that has been proven true in countless battles throughout

To refrain from intercepting an enemy whose banners are in perfect order, to refrain from attacking an army drawn up in calm and confident array:—this is the art of studying circumstances. Sun Tzu’s advice to “refrain from intercepting an enemy whose banners are in perfect order” speaks to the importance of strategic patience and careful

To be near the goal while the enemy is still far from it, to wait at ease while the enemy is toiling and struggling, to be well-fed while the enemy is famished:— this is the art of husbanding one’s strength. When it comes to achieving our goals, we often focus on working hard and pushing

Disciplined and calm, to await the appearance of disorder and hubbub amongst the enemy:—this is the art of retaining self-possession. Maintaining self-possession is a crucial skill for a general in the midst of battle. It requires discipline and a calm demeanor in the face of chaos and confusion. A wise general will wait patiently for

A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods. Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” is not just a manual for warfare, but a guide for strategic thinking in all areas of life. One

Now a soldier’s spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is bent only on returning to camp. Chapter 8, Section 28 of The Art of War states that a soldier’s spirit is at its strongest in the morning, weaker by noon, and by

A whole army may be robbed of its spirit; a commander-in-chief may be robbed of his presence of mind. Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of the morale of both the army and the commander-in-chief in 7.27. He acknowledges that a whole army can be robbed of its spirit, causing them to lose their will to

In night-fighting, then, make much use of signalfires and drums, and in fighting by day, of flags and banners, as a means of influencing the ears and eyes of your army Sun Tzu’s Art of War, Chapter 7, verse 26, emphasizes the importance of communication in warfare. It states that in night-fighting, signal fires and

The host thus forming a single united body, is it impossible either for the brave to advance alone, or for the cowardly to retreat alone. This is the art of handling large masses of men. Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is a classic military text that has stood the test of time. One of