THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Strategy

“Strategy is about stretching limited resources to fit ambitious aspirations” -C. K. Prahlad

TOPIC OF THE DAY

Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu ("Master Sun") is an honorific title bestowed upon (544—496 BC), the author of The Art of War, an immensely influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy. He is also one of the earliest realists in international relations theory.

In the author's name, Sūn Wǔ, the character wu, meaning "military", is the same as the character in wu shu, or martial art. Sun Wu also has a courtesy name, Chang Qing.

Historians debate whether or not Sun Tzu was a real historical figure. In some histories, such as the biography written in the 2nd century BC by the historian Sima Qian, Sun Tzu is born in the state of Qi State, during the Spring and Autumn Period of China (722–481 BC), and becomes a heroic general for the King of Wu. His victories inspire him to write the Art of War. Other historians place the writing of the Art of War to the Age of Warring States (403–221 BC), based on its description of warfare. It was a time of constant war between...

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