An ancient philosopher’s wisdom can be compared in value to gold. Now “The Art of War” by the great thinker Sun Tzu has actually been printed on pure gold. There are 5,000 of these bookstores across China, costing 19,600 yuan each.
Known as the world’s oldest book on military strategy(军事策略), it was originally written on bamboo strips(竹简). Sun Tzu lived in about 500 BC in the late Spring and Autumn Period. There is little information about Sun Tzu’s real life.
But according to one story, the king asked Sun Tzu to gibe a demonstration of his way of training the army. Two groups of the king’s concubines(妃子) played the soldiers and two of the king’s favourites acted as commanders. Sun Tzu gave them orders, but they thought it was just a game and couldn’t stop laughing. Sun Tzu said, “if the order is not clear it’s my fault, but if the order is and soldiers don’t obey, it’s the commanders’ fault.” He then killed the two commanders, despite the king’s protest. When Sun Tzu gave new orders, the concubines performed perfectly.
Sun Tzu’s book became popular with leaders in Asia and later in the West. In 1782 a Frenchman named Amiot took the book to Europe. It is said that Napoleon used its principles while conquering Europe.
“The Art of War” is today used in business, sport, diplomacy(外交) and even relationships. Sun Tzu is possibly the most quoted(引用) Chinese in the world. One saying is, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”
46. From this passage we know the book “The Art of War” by the great thinker Sun Tzu _________.
A. has been compared to gold B. has been written on bamboo strips again
C. cost 19,000 yuan D. has been printed on pure gold
47. Sun Tzu is _____________.
A. known all over the world B. a person living in 1000 BC
C. a great thinker but we knew little about his life D. a good writer
48. In the story of Sun Tzu’s way of training the army, Sun Tzu killed ___________.
A. two of the king’s favorite concubines B. two of the king’s favorite soldiers
C. two groups of the king’s concubines D. two famous commanders
49. Sun Tzu’s book became popular ____________.
A. in Asia B. in the west C. in Europe D. both A and B
50. The best title of this article is _____________.
A. Sun Tzu’s wisdom can be compared in value to gold
B. The book “The Art of War” has been printed on pure gold
C. Sun Tzu’s wise words turn to gold
D. The great ancient philosopher—Sun Tzu
