The Art of War by Sunzi is an old Chinese work on war strategy but the strategies introduced there are also useful and practically applicable in civilian life if one has to deal with opponents - or better: competitors - in a highly competitive market or other personal envious persons, for example.

In mastering conflict situations one must keep a cool head and should not be led by emotions alone. One should pursue a strategy which makes you a winner in the end and which leaves status of a loser to your opponent instead. Sunzi, in his text, shows how to do exactly that.