The Book of War: The Military Classic of the Far East

Sun Tzu and Wu Qi

Translated by Captain E. F. Calthrop

20 chapters · about 66 min

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The opening

I PRELIMINARY RECKONING

The words of Sun the Master:—

To all nations War is a great matter. Upon the army death or life depend: it is the means of the existence or destruction of the State.

Therefore it must be diligently studied.

Now, in war, besides stratagem and the situation, there are five indispensable matters. The first is called The Way; the second, Heaven; the third, Earth; the fourth, the Leader; the fifth, Law.

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About this edition

The words
Captain E. F. Calthrop's English translation, copied word for word.
Left out
  • The source library's header, footer and license, in 2 places
  • The title page and opening pages before chapter 1
  • A preface, foreword or afterword, in 2 places
  • Page numbers and running heads from the printed pages, in 2 places
  • The index
  • Notes and pages added by translators, editors or publishers
  • Non-text section furniture