A stratagem is a strategic plan that contains a trap or a ruse for the enemy.The Thirty-six Stratagems was a unique collection of the most cunning and subtle stratagems in the Chinese culture. Since there are hundreds of philosophical aphorisms and heroic exploits in Chinese history, and many of them have heavy content of strategic measures, obviously the number of stratagems is more than thirty-six.A systematic classification of these stratagems based on basic behaviors can give more perspective to these strategic acts. The authors have identified twenty-eight basic behaviors in these stratagems, and forty-two stratagems to illustrate these behaviors as a way of thinking. For each stratagem, its theme, its source, a few illustrations from stories or events of Chinese origin or from other countries, and comments are presented. In the last chapter, the Sun Tze's teachings in The Art of War that might have indirectly influenced the stratagems are summarized.
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