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Biography of Sun Tzu
Learn about the biography of Sun Tzu of Ancient China. A great military leader and strategist who wrote the book the Art of War
Biography of Sun Tzu
- Occupation: General and Military Strategist
- Born: 544 BC
- Died: 496 BC
- Best known for: Wrote the Art of War
Life Story:
Early Life
The early years of Sun Tzu are poorly understood. During the Spring and Autumn period of Ancient China, he was initially named Sun Wu and was the son of an aristocracy. He developed a keen interest in combat and joined the ranks of the mercenary army. Sun Tzu earned a reputation as a capable military commander over time.
The King’s Test
The Wu King observed that Sun Tzu was a capable administrator. For a test, he brought Sun Tzu to his palace. 180 of his concubines (women) were to be trained by Sun Tzu to be soldiers. Sun Tzu split the women into two groups and gave two of them leadership roles. Then he gave them an order. The women simply laughed. The two chiefs were put to death by Sun Tzu. Two more women were later given leadership roles by him. When he gave the order again, the women followed it exactly.
Military Leader
As his understanding of combat increased, Sun Tzu started to develop his own ideas and tactics for fighting. As generals serving the King of Wu, he put several of them to the test. Sun Tzu led the state of Wu to many triumphs throughout their conflict with the strong Chu state, including the conquest of the Chu capital city of Ying.
The Art of War
Sun Tzu published the Art of War, a treatise that contained his military philosophies. This became of the most well-known texts on war strategy ever written. The book is divided into thirteen chapters. Each one outlines tactics for a particular facet of warfare.
- Laying Plans
- Waging War
- The Plan of Attack
- Positioning
- Directing
- Weak Points and Strong
- Maneuvering
- The Nine Variations
- The Army on the March
- Terrain
- The Nine Terrains
- Attack by Fire
- The Use of Spies
Sun Tzu opposed going to war. He advised averting conflict wherever feasible, but he also believed that a swift victory in any conflict was preferable. He thought that even the victor in protracted warfare suffered suffering.
Famous Sayings from the Art of War
- To know your enemy, you must become your enemy.
- A leader leads by example, not by force.
- The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
- Attack the enemy where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
- He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
- All warfare is based on deception.
- A clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.
- What is of the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed; one cannot afford to neglect opportunity.
Legacy
Military leaders from a variety of countries, including China, Japan, Russia, Vietnam, and the United States, have studied The Art of War throughout history. During the Chinese Civil War, Mao Zedong studied the book and employed its tactics to overthrow the Kuomintang.
In many military schools today, The Art of War is still taught and regarded as a key text. It is in the list of suggested readings for U.S. Military Intelligence professionals and is essential reading for CIA officers. Even in disciplines other than warfare, such as commerce, administration, athletics, and politics, the book has been utilized to educate strategy.
Facts about Sun Tzu
- Much of the Art of War reflects the beliefs and philosophies of Taoism.
- His teachings are the basis for many Asian martial arts philosophies.
- He states that the five virtues of a general are wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, strictness, and courage.
- The Art of War was first translated into English in 1905. It was translated into French in 1782.
- The Art of War is not a very long book. It is public domain and you can download it for free off the internet.
- A descendent of Sun Tzu named Sun Bin also wrote a famous book on war strategy called Sun Bin’s Art of War.
Read also: Biography of Emperor Taizong
