In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. So, too… - Sun Tzu

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Engraved portrait of Sun Tzu, facing left

In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. So, too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them.

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About Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu (孫子 Sūn Zǐ; c. 6th century BC) was a Chinese general, military strategist, and philosopher who lived in the Eastern Zhou period of ancient China. Sun Tzu is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, a widely influential work of military strategy that has affected both Western and East Asian philosophy and military thinking. He is also known as Sun Wu (孫武; Sūn Wǔ), and Chang Qing (長卿; Cháng Qīng).

Biography information from Wikiquote · Portrait adapted from Wikimedia Commons, 663highland (CC BY)

Also Known As

Native Name: 孫子
Alternative Names: Sun Wu Suentzyy Suen Tzyy

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it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them.

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