Who Was Sun Tzu? The Master Strategist's Insights, Legacy, and Wisdom

Who was Sun Tzu, and why does his wisdom still resonate today? As a Chinese strategist, thinker, and author of 'The Art of War', Sun Tzu revolutionized military strategy, offering timeless principles that influence leaders in business, politics, and beyond. His teachings have shaped historical battles and modern strategic thinking alike, proving the broad functionality of his ideas.

Whether you're leading a team, growing your business, or aiming to sharpen your strategic skills, the key insights from Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War' can guide your journey. Available in Headway's online library in a summary form, this classic text offers practical leadership lessons that work.

Sun Tzu's life timeline: Key events and achievements

• 544 BCE – Birth of Sun Tzu: Born as Sun Wu, in the late Spring and Autumn period of ancient China.

• 512 BCE – General of Wu: Appointed as a military strategist and general for King Helü of Wu, marking the beginning of his influential career.

• 500 BCE – Military success: Sun Tzu leads successful campaigns, demonstrating his innovative military strategies, including the importance of speed, efficiency, and psychological warfare.

• ca. 500 BCE – Writing of 'The Art of War:' Sun Tzu writes ‘The Art of War,’ a military treatise that would become one of the Seven Military Classics.

• 496 BCE – Death of Sun Tzu: Sun Tzu passes away, leaving behind a legacy that would influence military strategy for centuries.

Sun Tzu: From general to master strategist

The only evidence that Sun Tzu (544 - 496 BCE), also known as Sun Wu, Master Sun, or Sun Zi, was a real historical figure is his biography, written in the 2nd century BCE by the Han dynasty historian Sima Qian in 'Records of the Grand Historian.' Historians agree that Sun Tzu was born in the late Spring and Autumn period. 

He was an active general and military strategist, serving King Helü of Wu starting around 512 BC during the sixth century BC.

un Tzu described himself as a general of Wu's principality, making him a contemporary of one of the greatest philosophers of ancient times, Confucius.

This era was marked by the decline of the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE), during which the states formerly unified under the dynasty began battling each other for dominance and control over China. 

During the subsequent Warring States period, marked by constant conflict among seven ancient Chinese states — Zhao, Qi, Qin, Chu, Han, Wei, and Yan — fighting for control of Eastern China's fertile lands, 'The Art of War' (ca. 500 BCE) emerged as one of the most widely read military treatises (one of the Seven Military Classics" of ancient China, a collection of influential military texts that have shaped Chinese military thought for centuries).

According to tradition, Sun Tzu was a landless aristocrat, a descendant of nobles who lost their status due to military conflicts in the 7th-8th centuries BCE in Ancient China.

Unlike most landless nobility, whose representatives were traveling scholars, Sun Tzu worked as a mercenary. Around 512 BCE, Sun Tzu was hired as a general of the Principality of Wu. He is believed to have been killed in 496 BCE.

The history behind Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War'

In 1772, Jesuit missionary Jean Joseph Marie Amiot translated 'The Art of War' into French. In 1905, British officer Everard Ferguson Calthrop made a partial translation into English titled 'The Book of War.'

The first English translation of 'The Art of War' was by British officer Lionel Giles. It was published in 1910 under the title 'Sun Tzu on the Art of War: The Oldest Military Treatise in the World.'

In 1972, construction workers in Shandong accidentally unearthed the Han Yinkeshan tombs. Scientists found a collection of ancient texts, among them 'The Art of War' written on exceptionally well-preserved bamboo leaves. 

Key lessons from 'The Art of War'

From ancient times to today, the military treatise 'The Art of War (Chinese: 孫子兵法; pinyin: Sūnzǐ bīngfǎ)' the authorship of which is attributed to the legendary Chinese general and strategist Sun-Tzu, has not lost its relevance.

And not only because, for more than two thousand years, humanity has not learned to solve problems peacefully, time and again, using force where there is a place for common sense.

The main principles of the strategy and tactics of military confrontation are now successfully used in business, diplomacy, politics, and all activities requiring strategic thinking. 

Lesson #1: Build your strategy

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."

Sun Tzu constantly emphasizes that military action is an expensive activity that damages the state and causes misery to the people. Therefore, war must be fast, efficient, and mobile. Prolonging the war is inhumane to the people.

"If you know your 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."

Knowing your enemy thoroughly will make it much easier for you to get the desired result. Suppose you deeply understand your strengths and weaknesses and those of your enemy.

In that case, you can strategically plan and execute your actions to maximize your chances of victory. 

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

The general believed that battle preparation was crucial for victory. Planning the battle, with its many options, is the key to success, the sure way to victory. Failure to do so inevitably leads to defeat.

"Great results, can be achieved with small forces."

At the core of Sun Tzu's strategy concept is managing the enemy, which creates opportunities for easy victory. Luring the enemy into traps and avoiding confrontation with the enemy's prepared forces is necessary. Strategic concentration is required for the uneven distribution of forces.

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

According to Sun Tzu, supreme excellence is in wisdom, not even at the beginning of battles. Agreement, espionage, and finding weak points are important aspects of war conduct.

Lesson #2: Be a good leader

"A leader leads by example, not by force."

Sun Tzu also paid attention to the personal qualities of the commander and ruler. According to the strategist, if a commander is not endowed with intelligence, impartiality, humanity, courage, and rigor, he will not be able to ignite the people's hearts and achieve victory.

"When one treats people with benevolence, justice, and righteousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders."

According to Sun Tzu, the principle of command states that soldiers do not question the meaning of an order when receiving it. A good leader is an example and authority. Subordinates are obedient to such managers without a doubt. 

"The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand."

A successful general invests significant time and effort in planning and considering various factors and scenarios before engaging in battle. This preparation includes evaluating the enemy's strengths and weaknesses, the terrain, available resources, and possible tactics.

"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."

Presenting people with what they expect gains their trust and makes your actions seem predictable and ordinary. Once people are settled into predictable response patterns, their actions and reactions become more foreseeable. 

Lesson #3: Seize the opportunity

"The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.”

War is not only for commanders; we may be in a state of conflict or a crisis, and we should know how to emerge victorious from the problem.

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

One should benefit from what is done and harm from what is not done and be cunning. Sun Tzu advised us to see how we can use circumstances and to be in a winning position.

"Opportunities multiply as they are seized."

When you take advantage of an opportunity, it often opens the door to new possibilities. Success in one area can lead to further chances for success in related or even different areas. Taking opportunities frequently involves interacting with new people and expanding your network. 

"Know yourself and you will win all battles."

Sun Tzu spoke a lot about the vital qualities of a leader and the influence of a ruler on the entire army and the course of war. Strong personalities know how to see not only their strengths but also their weaknesses. It is essential to look inside yourself and analyze to grow.

"If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things."

The author of The Art of War, Sun Tzu, repeatedly emphasizes the need for discipline in the troops and maintaining spirit (qi). Situations that strengthen the army's morale must be created, and those that cause it to lose its will must be avoided.

Other must-read books about Sun Tzu and Chinese warfare

1. Mark McNeilly is an expert in strategic thinking who has studied ‘The Art of War’ deeply. His military background helps him explain how Sun Tzu’s ideas fit into today’s warfare. His book, 'Sun Tzu and the Art of Modern Warfare,' has been updated to include recent events like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the challenges from Iran, the "Arab Spring," and China's growing influence.

2. 'The Illustrated Art of War' by Sun Tzu, with help from Samuel B. Griffith (Oxford University Press), brings together Sun Tzu’s timeless strategies with Griffith’s clear translation and helpful notes. This version also includes pictures that make the ancient lessons easier to understand and more interesting to read.

3. Ralph D. Sawyer translated Sun Tzu’s 'The Art of War' with great care. His version is accurate and detailed, and it gives readers a clear and thoughtful look at Sun Tzu’s strategies.

4. Miyamoto Musashi, a famous Japanese swordsman, wrote 'The Book of Five Rings.' In this book, he examines discipline, self-discovery, and self-improvement. His lessons mix Sun Tzu’s strategic thinking with practical advice.

Sun Tzu's lasting influence on military and business strategies

The treatise, in addition to the Chinese, was used in their actions by the generals Takeda Singen (Japanese statesman and military figure, tycoon, samurai commander of the Warring States period, 16th century), Vo Nguyen Ziap (Vietnamese military leader and political figure, army general, Minister of Defense of Vietnam, Commander-in-Chief of Vietnam during the Vietnam War, 20th century).

General Vo Nguyen Ziap, later the military organizer behind the victories over the American army in Vietnam, fervently studied and applied Sun Tzu's ideas.

American defeat in that war, more than anything else, drew the attention of American military theorists to Sun Tzu. The US Army, including the Navy, used this art of warfare during military training.

How you can apply Sun Tzu's principles in modern-day leadership

Military strategy can even be advantageous in everyday life or business. Here's how you can apply San Tzu's principles to your life.

• Preliminary analysis allows you to pave the way to a 50% victory. Surprisingly, this principle of warfare in ancient times has retained its relevance today. Conducting a competitive analysis, studying open data, and applying forecasts to compile a set of guidelines for the future is the key to choosing the proper steps in business development. Moreover, modern realities increasingly revolve around the so-called "Pareto principle" - 80% of success comes from 20% of the effort if you choose only the right direction for analysis and appropriate actions.

• Sun Tzu, author of 'The Art of War,' emphasized positioning in military strategy. The decision to choose a certain position for the army should be based on two objective conditions — the physical environment and the subjective beliefs of other opposing combatants in that environment. He believed that strategy is not planning in the sense of working through a set list of tasks but rather requires a quick and adequate response to changing conditions. Planning works in controlled circumstances, but opponents' plans collide in changing circumstances, creating unexpected situations.

• Sun Tzu highly appreciated the value of talented commanders' skills. True and effective leaders excel in their ability to unite their subordinates' efforts to achieve a specific goal, and Sun Tzu emphasizes this as their primary mission. The strength lies in the unity of actions, a recurring theme throughout the entire treatise. Sun Tzu believed that awareness of a common goal and the team's dependency on fulfilling the leader's will are necessary conditions for unity among the team and followers of the leader.

The principles and ideas described in the treatise retain their relevance not only for military affairs but also for other types of human activity in which there is opposition, and strategic planning is necessary, particularly in business and management.

Learn more about Sun Tzu and 'The Art of War' with Headway 

Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War' has shaped war strategy and leadership for over 2,000 years. His teachings on strategy and critical thinking remain just as relevant today, influencing not only military tactics but also business and personal development.

Understanding who Sun Tzu was can refine your strategic thinking and leadership abilities, whether you're navigating business challenges or personal growth.

Headway offers short book summaries that make it easy to learn from Sun Tzu’s wisdom. In just 15 minutes, you can understand the main ideas from 'The Art of War' and other interesting books. These summaries are written in a simple and clear way, so you can quickly get the important lessons and use them in your own life.

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