Sun Tzu - The Art of War - Is Business War ?

Troops in desperate straits
Know no fear.
Where there is no escape,
They stand firm;
When they have entered deep,
They persist;
When they see no hope,
They fight.

They are alert
Without needing
Discipline;

They act
Without needing
Instructions;

They are devoted
Without needing
A compact;

They are loyal
Without needing
Orders.

Sun Tzu, ca 6th century BC was the author of The Art of War, an ancient Chinese book on military strategy. Research however suggested at some point that Sun Tzu's work was actually authored by unknown Chinese philosophers and that Sun Tzu did not actually exist as a historical figure. Many of the ideas from The Art of War were translated to typical business environments in more modern times.
(On the war of business, see blog to come, when tackling the television show 'The Topmanager'.)

Master Sun said:

Managing many
Is the same as
Managing few;
It is a question of
Division.

Figthing with many
Is the same as
Fighting with few;
It is a matter of
Marshalling men
With gongs,
Identifying them
With flags.

The Skilful Warrior attacks
So that the enemy
Cannot defend;
He defends
So that the enemy
Cannot attack.

Weakness
Stems from
Preparing against attack.
Strength
Stems from
Obliging the enemy
To prepare against an attack.

He who advances
Without seeking
Fame,
Who retreats
Without escaping
Blame,
He whose one aim is
To protect his people
And serve his lord,
This man is
A Jewel of the Realm.

Never move
Except for gain;
Never deploy
Except for victory;
Never fight
Except in a crisis.

(Sun Tzu - The Art of War - Strike with Chaos)