These are what we call the 'YMMV items.' Things that some people find in this work. We call them 'your mileage might vary' because not everyone sees these things in the same way. This starts discussions in the trope lists, a thing we don't want. Please use the discussion page if you'd like to discuss any of these items.
YMMV: The Art of War
"Funny Aneurysm" Moment: The book was originally written for Helu, the ruler of the Kingdom of Wu. About fifty or so years after Sun Tzu's death, Wu was completely destroyed and absorbed by the Kingdom of Yue.
Given how many nations and/or businessmen have succeeded by taking Sun's advice, perhaps Helu simply didn't get around to studying it.
Or maybe he did, but his son, King Fuchai, didn't.
IIRC Wu was quite successful military-wise under Helu and Fuchai's early years. And then Fuchai started expeditions northwards for hegemony (and won it) which lead to the kingdom's downfall.
Magnificent Bastard: This is a goal to which all generals should aspire. As the book notes:
"To win a hundred battles is not of the supreme excellence. To subdue one's enemy without fighting is the acme of skill."
