The Art of War - Sun Tzu: Sun Tzu

By Sun Tzu

Twenty-Five Hundred years ago, Sun Tzu wrote this classic book of military strategy based on Chinese warfare and military thought. Since that time, all levels of military have used the teaching on Sun Tzu to warfare and cilivzation have adapted these teachings for use in politics, business and everyday life. The Art of War is a book which should be used to gain advantage of opponents in the boardroom and battlefield alike.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ShadowPOET
• Release date: Sep 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9788835864233

Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu, also known as Sun Wu or Sunzi, was an ancient Chinese military strategist believed to be the author of the acclaimed military text, The Art of War. Details about Sun Tzu’s background and life are uncertain, although he is believed to have lived c. 544-496 BCE. Through The Art of War, Sun Tzu’s theories and strategies have influenced military leaders and campaigns throughout time, including the samurai of ancient and early-modern Japan, and more recently Ho Chi Minh of the Viet Cong and American generals Norman Swarzkopf, Jr. and Colin Powell during the Persian Gulf War in the 1990s.

Book preview

SPIES

The Art of War

By Sun Tzu

LAYING PLANS

Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to theState.

It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account beneglected.

The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one's deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in thefield.

These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method anddiscipline.

5,6. The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.

Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times andseasons.

Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life anddeath.

The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage andstrictness.

By method and discipline are to be understood the marshaling of the armyinitspropersubdivisions,thegraduationsofrankamongtheofficers,the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of militaryexpenditure.

These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not willfail.

Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the militaryconditions,letthembemadethebasisofacomparison,inthiswise:--

(1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Morallaw?

Which of the two generals has mostability?

With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven andEarth?

On which side is discipline most rigorouslyenforced?

Which army isstronger?

On which side are officers and men more highlytrained?

In which army is there the greater constancy both in rewardand

punishment?

BymeansofthesesevenconsiderationsIcanforecastvictoryordefeat.

The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, willconquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counselnoractsuponit,willsufferdefeat:--letsuchaonebedismissed!

While heading the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinaryrules.

According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one's plans.

All warfare is based ondeception.

Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crushhim.

If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evadehim.

If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may growarrogant.

If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separatethem.

Attackhimwhereheisunprepared,appearwhereyouarenotexpected.

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