Sun Tzu (544 B.C.–496 B.C.) was an ancient Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher from the Zhou Dynasty, who has had a significant impact on Chinese and Asian history and culture, both as an author of The Art of War as well as through legend.

Lao-Tzu was a philosopher and poet of ancient China who lived in the fifth century BC. He is known as the reputed author of the Tao Te Ching and the founder of philosophical Taoism.

Confucius (551-479 BC) was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher. His philosophy emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, and sincerity.

Mencius (372-289 BC) was an itinerant Chinese philosopher and sage, and one of the principal interpreters of Confucianism.