Sun Tzu

Traditionally 544–496 BC · Chinese general, strategist and philosopher · historicity uncertain

Sun Tzu is revered across Chinese and East Asian culture as the archetypal military strategist, traditionally placed in the Spring and Autumn period with life dates of 544–496 BC. Wikipedia is blunt that his historical existence is uncertain: anachronisms in The Art of War — terminology, technology, philosophical ideas — point to a text later than his supposed lifetime, and the earlier version of the work is now generally thought to have been completed between 500 and 430 BC. What is not in doubt is the treatise’s reach: thirteen terse chapters on deception, terrain, timing and intelligence that moved from Chinese military canon into European letters via a 1772 French translation, and into English with Lionel Giles’ annotated 1910 edition.

Traced to source

10 quotes we’ve traced to Sun Tzu

“All warfare is based on deception”

Verified

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

Verified

“The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom”

Verified

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting”

Verified

“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle”

Attributed

“Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across”

Disputed

“Know yourself and you will win all battles”

Disputed

“Opportunities multiply as they are seized”

Disputed

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