The art of war E-Book

Sun Tzu

• Herausgeber: W. Books
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Serie: Classics Collection
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 55

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

A timeless masterpiece that has influenced generals, leaders, and strategists for centuries, The Art of War is a profound treatise on warfare and strategy. Written by the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu, this classic work delves into the principles of conflict, highlighting the importance of preparation, adaptability, and the psychological elements of battle. Its teachings go beyond the battlefield, offering invaluable insights for leadership, decision-making, and personal development. In The Art of War, Sun Tzu emphasizes that "all warfare is based on deception," and presents a strategy-driven approach that encourages efficient use of resources, understanding of the terrain, and knowledge of one's opponent. His wisdom remains relevant not only to military professionals but also to those in business, politics, and life. This edition provides a clear translation and thought-provoking commentary that makes Sun Tzu's ancient wisdom accessible to modern readers. Whether you're a student of history, a business leader, or simply someone looking to gain an edge in life, The Art of War offers strategies that are as applicable today as they were thousands of years ago

Leseprobe

This is a W. Books publication, a division of Grupo Ciranda Cultural.

© 2025 Ciranda Cultural Editora e Distribuidora Ltda.

Text: Sun Tzu

First Publication: 1910

Translated from the Chinese: Lionel Giles

Graphic Design: Linea Editora

Cover: Ana Dobón

Dados Internacionais de Catalogação na Publicação (CIP) de acordo com ISBD

T998a

Tzu, Sun

The art of war [recurso eletrônico] / Sun Tzu. – Jandira, SP : W. Books, 2025.

64 p. ; ePUB.

ISBN: 978-65-5294-290-6 (ePUB)

1. Ciência Militar. 2. Estratégia. 3. Conhecimento. 4. Negócios. 5. Clássicos. I. Título.

2025-2376

CDD 355.021

CDU 355.01

Elaborado por Vagner Rodolfo da Silva - CRB-8/9410

Índice para catálogo sistemático:

1. Ciência Militar : Estratégia 355.021

2. Ciência Militar : Estratégia 355.01

www.cirandacultural.com.br

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a search system, or transmitted by any means, whether electronic, photocopy, recording, or others, without the prior authorization of the rights owner, and may not be circulated bound or covered in a manner other than the one in which it was published, or without the same conditions being imposed on subsequent purchasers.

Contents

Chapter I. Laying Plans

Chapter II. Waging War

Chapter III. Attack by Stratagem

Chapter IV. Tactical Dispositions

Chapter V. Energy

Chapter VI. Weak Points and Strong

Chapter VII. Maneuvering

Chapter VIII. Variation in Tactics

Chapter IX. The Army on the March

Chapter X. Terrain

Chapter XI. The Nine Situations

Chapter XII. The Attack by Fire

Chapter XIII. The Use of Spies

Chapter I

Laying Plans

1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to the State.

2. 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.

3. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one’s deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field.

4. These are:

(1) The Moral Law;

(2) Heaven;

(3) Earth;

(4) The Commander;

(5) Method and discipline.

5,6. The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.

7. Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.

8. Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.

9. The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness.

10. By method and discipline are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.

11. These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.

12. Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise:—

(1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law?

(2) Which of the two generals has most ability?

(3) With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?

(4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?

(5) Which army is stronger?

(6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained?

(7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?

14. By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.

15. The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat:—let such a one be dismissed!

16. While heading the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules.

17. According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one’s plans.

18. All warfare is based on deception.

19. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.

21. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.

22. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

23. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.

24. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

25. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.

26. Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.

Chapter II

Waging War

1. Sun Tzu said: In the operations of war, where there are in the field a thousand swift chariots, as many heavy chariots, and a hundred thousand mail-clad soldiers, with provisions enough to carry them a thousand li, the expenditure at home and at the front, including entertainment of guests, small items such as glue and paint, and sums spent on chariots and armor, will reach the total of a thousand ounces of silver per day. Such is the cost of raising an army of 100,000 men.

2. When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men’s weapons will grow dull and their ardor will be damped. If you lay siege to a town, you will exhaust your strength.

3. Again, if the campaign is protracted, the resources of the State will not be equal to the strain.

4. Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardor damped, your strength exhausted and your treasure spent, other chieftains will spring up to take advantage of your extremity. Then no man, however wise, will be able to avert the consequences that must ensue.

5. Thus, though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.

6. There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.