孫武 Sun Wu
孫子兵法
The Art of War
Thirteen chapters on the principles of warfare, attributed to the general Sun Wu of the state of Qi, who served King Helu of Wu in the late sixth century BC. The oldest surviving military treatise, it was canonized among the Seven Military Classics during the Song dynasty.
Historical Context
Sun Wu was a native of Qi who traveled south to the kingdom of Wu, where he presented his treatise on warfare to King Helu. According to Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian, the king tested Sun Wu's methods by ordering him to drill the palace concubines, a demonstration that convinced Helu of his ability to command.
The text likely underwent refinement through the Warring States period, with the Yinqueshan bamboo slips (discovered 1972, dating to c. 140 BC) providing the earliest archaeological evidence. The received text follows the arrangement preserved in Cao Cao's influential commentary from the late Eastern Han.
Its thirteen chapters move from strategic assessment through tactical deployment to intelligence gathering, forming a complete framework for understanding conflict. The text's emphasis on deception, adaptability, and winning without fighting has made it foundational reading far beyond military circles.