It has influenced leaders all over the world, not only in warfare but in many areas of life, including business. The Art of War has remained relevant over the years because it is about strategy and tactics rather than specific warfare technology. And generals should treat captured troops and defeated soldiers respectfully. It discourages generals from engaging in siege warfare, because it extends the conflict and wastes resources. At the same time, it also recommends being flexible, because the battlefield is so unpredictable. It stresses preparation for battle above all, including planning around climate and battle terrain, studying the enemy’s movements and weaknesses, and proper training of soldiers. The Art of War has many specific battle strategies and advisements. Sunzi recommended that every leader follow the Tao (or the natural order of the universe) as a main component of successful leadership. This mirrors the Taoist principals of yin and yang (or opposing but complementary forces). Sunzi’s strategy in dealing with foes was a combination of peaceful resolutions and aggressive warfare. Warfare should only be a last resort and heading into battle is already admitting a kind of defeat. If it cannot be avoided, it should be fought strategically and psychologically to minimize damage and the wasting of resources. The premise of The Art of War is that war should be avoided with diplomacy. It is clear that whatever Sunzi’s life experiences were, he had a great deal of knowledge about warfare and tactical training. Scholars also cannot be sure about the details of the life of its author, Sunzi, but they believe he was a general working for the Wu state.

It is hard to know exactly when The Art of War was written, but most scholars think it was written between 475 and 221 B.C.E., during the Warring States period. Known in Chinese as Bingfa, this guide features information about various battle maneuvers and tactics, as well as strategic advice on collecting information about the enemy’s location and battlefield terrain before attacking. The Art of War, an influential document written by the ancient Chinese military strategist Sunzi (also known as Sun-Tzu), is one of the first known treatise on warfare strategy in history.

The art of battle