Sonshi - The original Sun Tzu's Art of War resource
  • Home
  • Sun Tzu
    • Start the path to victory
    • Who was Sun Tzu?
    • What is Sonshi?
    • Sun Tzu's Art of War Translation
    • Best Art of War Books
    • Official Sonshi Art of War book
    • Interviews with Art of War authors and scholars
    • Sun Tzu lives on slideshow
    • Sun Tzu's Way slideshow
    • Articles related to Art of War and strategy
  • Blog
  • Store
  • About
  • Contact
Online since 1999

Happy 18th birthday, Sonshi.com!

8/5/2017

6 Comments

 
Original sonshi samuraiThe Sonshi Samurai on front page, circa 1999
Dear readers of Sonshi.com,

When Sun Tzu wrote his Art of War book in 512 BCE, he had no idea it would survive 2529 years later, much less be read, studied, and applied by countless leaders from countries all across the globe.

Whether pacifying an upset teenager, managing a billion-dollar corporation, or preventing terrorist attacks, it would seem every practical situation could benefit from Sun Tzu's strategic lessons.

Since 1999, Sonshi.com has been at the forefront of the application of Sun Tzu's principles by individuals, organizations, and nations. The path we took during the last 18 years has been challenging to say the least, but not without significant successes.

Next week, on August 12, is the date the domain name Sonshi.com was registered. It is the date of "the start."

When I registered Sonshi.com, it was simply to share my excitement about Sun Tzu's Art of War with others on this new platform called the World Wide Web. The Sonshi name came from General Samuel Griffith's translation where he discusses the legendary Minamoto Yoshitsune, one of Japan's most famous strategists. When Yoshitsune was young, the monks in charge of his education could barely make him sit still -- except when Sonshi was read to him. Then he was all attention. I was that young Yoshitsune.

Legend would also have it that after being betrayed by his allies, Minamoto Yoshitsune sailed to mainland Asia and emerged as none other than Genghis Khan.

Likewise, Sun Tzu's philosophy sailed to distant shores while still remaining useful and relevant over the centuries, bridging both time and space. Sun Tzu has not only defeated the Grim Reaper but has made a friend of Father Time.

​So what ageless secrets would Sun Tzu share in the next 2,529 years? There is no need to wait. They aren't secrets at all, but open wisdom that can be learned and implemented today by those who are in need. Sun Tzu would serve as a good friend indeed and in deed.

Quintus Ennius wrote [3rd century BCE]: 'Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur.' This translates from the Latin as 'a sure friend is known when in difficulty.'

In the 16th century the proverb was recorded as follows in John Heywood's A Dialogue Conteynyng Prouerbes and Epigrammes, 1562:

'Prove [that is, test] thy friend ere [before] thou have need; but, in-deed
A friend is never known till a man have need.
Before I had need, my most present foes
Seemed my most friends; but thus the world goes.'


Source: Phrases.org.uk
Sincerely,
Thomas Huynh, founder
​Sonshi.com
6 Comments
Truthseeker
8/5/2017 06:03:34 pm

Congratulations Thomas. And might I also express my sincere appreciation for the prodigious journey Sonshi.com has taken me on in my ever continuing education of everything Sun Tzu. I find it difficult to come up with a superlative that does justice to your tireless work at providing such an exceptional study tool for this most important wisdom. Hats off to you (proud to say) my dear friend. Here's to another 18.

Reply
Thomas Huynh link
8/5/2017 06:11:20 pm

Thank you! Much like our own kids, Sonshi.com has grown up as well. I believe you've been with us since 2001 (if I'm wrong here, let me know) so I am most appreciative of your continued friendship. Yes here's to another 18 years by which time I'm confident we will achieve peace worldwide at any given point in time, and able to achieve regularly.

Reply
Thomas Huynh link
8/6/2017 08:50:31 am

Thought I share this with you: https://twitter.com/Elizabe05716450/status/889954572814491648

Reply
Truthseeker
8/6/2017 10:31:29 am

Love it. Sun Tzu enthusiasts everywhere.

pandupr2
8/6/2017 02:58:47 pm

Dear Thomas,

Congratulations for the 18th Anniversary. I wish Sonshi to celebrate more & more such successful years.

I never thought that Shonshi is different from SunTzu. I got much awareness & knowledge about SunTzu and Art of War only through Shonshi.com. I used to be a regular participant at the Forum.

Regards,

Pandupr2

Reply
Thomas Huynh link
8/6/2017 03:33:59 pm

Pandupr2, thank you for your note. I appreciate your being with us. That is why I feel Sonshi.com is where Sun Tzu lives on. He belongs to the world.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Thomas Cuong Huynh, founder of Sonshi

    Picture

    Archives

    March 2023
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2020
    April 2020
    September 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017


    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

SONSHI - THE ORIGINAL SUN TZU'S ART OF WAR RESOURCE
​"Winning battles such that the whole world cries, 'Excellent!' is not the highest excellence." Sun Tzu
Privacy Policy
© 1999-2022 Sonshi.com. All rights reserved. The name SONSHI® and "four-leaf clover" logo are registered, incontestable trademarks of the Sonshi Group 和平的力量.