Welcome to Literature.com!

Literature.com is a huge collection of classic books from famous and not-so-famous authors from around the world — collaboratively published by amateur book authors and contributing editors.

Navigate through our books database alphabetically or simply search by keywords. Books can be rated, discussed through community features and even translated to many common and not-so-common languages.

The Art of War (5th century BC)

The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise dating from the Late Spring and Autumn Period. The work, which is attributed to the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu, is composed of 13 chapters. Each one is devoted to an aspect of warfare and how it applies to military strategy and tactics.

Collection Edit PDF Email

Year:: 5th century BC
: 71,774 Views

    								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.

    								Rate this book:4.5 / 2 votes

Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu was a Chinese general, military strategist, writer 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, an influential work of military strategy that has affected both Western and East Asian philosophy and military thinking. more…

All Sun Tzu books

2 fans

Discuss everything about Literature.com with the community:

5 Comments

Notify me of new comments via email.

leveshka_t
You need to add short stories especially of 19th and early 20th centuries by giants like Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, A. Kuprin, Maupassant, Jack London, W. W. Jacobs, Dickens, Bret Harte, H. H. Munro (Saki), Robert Barr, Bram Stoker, Joseph Sheridan le Fanu (The great Irish Horror Stories pioneer), Lucy Mod Montgomery, Sarah Anne Jewett, Rex Ellingwood Beach, Saadat Hassan Manto, R. Tagore and numerous other great short story writers of that golden era. more »
LikeReply 21 month ago
imagin
I can't find Francis Bacon here. There are related books but not the author in person. I wish I could read his essay ''Of Studies''. I think Francis bacon is as famous as Shakespeare, but unluckily there is not a work of his. more »
LikeReply3 months ago
- acronimous
  We've added it here: https://www.literature.com/book/the_advancement_of_learning_3165
  LikeReply2 months ago
courtneye
As an avid reader and literature enthusiast, Literature.com has significantly enriched my literary journey. The platform's diverse collection of literary works spans across genres and time periods, offering exceptional content for both classic literature connoisseurs and those interested in contemporary gems. more »
LikeReply 311 months ago
hasmukh.amathalal
I am proud to be a member
LikeReply 72 years ago
davidb
Very nice website!
LikeReply 164 years ago
- acronimous
  Thanks David! Appreciated...
  LikeReply 83 years ago