Deception and Stratagem
The book emphasizes that all warfare is based on deception, advocating for feigned weakness, hidden strength, and indirect tactics to outmaneuver the enemy and achieve victory without direct confrontation.
Where it surfaces
Preface by Lionel Giles
Giles criticizes Amiot's translation for fabricating content, highlighting the importance of accurate transmission of Sun Tzǔ's strategic principles.
Sun Wu and His Book
The chapter discusses the authenticity of Sun Tzǔ's work and the possibility of forgeries, reflecting the strategic use of information and deception.
Apologies for War
Defends the use of guile and stratagem in war, citing examples like Confucius violating an oath and leaving Sung in disguise.
The Art of War
The chapter opens by stating that all warfare is based on deception, urging commanders to feign incapacity, activity, and proximity to mislead the enemy.
Laying Plans
All warfare is based on deception; feigning weakness, attacking where unprepared, and appearing where unexpected are key tactics.
III: Attack by Stratagem
The chapter's core teaching is to break enemy resistance without fighting, using stratagem to achieve victory.
Self-Knowledge and Preparation
A central theme is the necessity of knowing oneself and the enemy, as well as the terrain and conditions, to ensure victory. The text stresses that security against defeat lies in one's own hands through careful planning and readiness.
Where it surfaces
Preface by Lionel Giles
Giles demonstrates self-awareness of his own limitations and prepares his translation with careful methodology, including cross-references and textual citations.
Sun Wu and His Book
Sun Tzǔ's test with the women shows the importance of thorough preparation and clear communication before expecting obedience.
The Text of Sun Tzǔ
The chapter emphasizes the importance of knowing the textual history and preparing a reliable edition for military study.
The Commentators
The chapter emphasizes how commentators like Tsʽao Kung and Mei Yao-chʽên sought to clarify Sun Tzǔ's principles, reflecting the importance of deep understanding and preparation in applying military strategy.
Bibliography
The chapter emphasizes the importance of knowing the true origins and content of military texts, distinguishing genuine works from forgeries.
The Art of War
Emphasizes the importance of knowing oneself and the enemy, and of careful calculation and planning before engaging in battle.
Leadership and Discipline
The work explores the qualities of an ideal commander—wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, and strictness—and the critical importance of enforcing clear orders and iron discipline to maintain an effective and unified army.
Where it surfaces
Sun Wu and His Book
Sun Tzǔ's execution of the king's concubines for disobedience demonstrates the necessity of clear orders and strict discipline in command.
The Text of Sun Tzǔ
The scholarly discipline of textual criticism and the leadership of Sun Hsing-yen in restoring the text reflect this theme.
The Commentators
Tsʽao Kung's commentary, known for its austere brevity, mirrors his stern command and discipline as a general, illustrating the theme of leadership in military thought.
Laying Plans
The commander must possess wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, and strictness; discipline and training are critical.
II: Waging War
The general is described as the arbiter of the nation's fate, responsible for making wise decisions that avoid prolonged, costly campaigns.
III: Attack by Stratagem
The general is described as the bulwark of the state, and the chapter warns against rulers interfering with military command.
Adaptability and Flexibility
Sun Tzu argues that military tactics must be fluid like water, constantly adapting to changing circumstances, terrain, and enemy behavior, with no fixed or repeated methods.
Where it surfaces
Energy
The chapter highlights the endless combinations of direct and indirect tactics, akin to musical notes or colors, showing the need for flexible adaptation in battle.
VI: Weak Points and Strong
Sun Tzǔ compares military tactics to water, which has no constant shape, and stresses modifying tactics according to the enemy and circumstances.
VII: Manoeuvring
The chapter stresses deciding concentration or division of troops by circumstances, and adapting tactics based on the enemy's spirit and terrain.
VIII: Variation of Tactics
The entire chapter focuses on varying tactics based on terrain, enemy, and circumstances, including disobeying orders when necessary.
XI: The Nine Situations
The nine situations require different responses, and the general must adapt his tactics to the ground, enemy actions, and the state of his own troops.
Economy of Force and Minimal Bloodshed
The text prizes victory achieved without fighting, capturing enemy forces intact, and avoiding prolonged campaigns or costly sieges, as supreme excellence lies in breaking the enemy's resistance with minimal loss.
Where it surfaces
Bibliography
The older treatises like Sun Tzǔ, Wu Tzǔ, and Ssǔ-ma Fa focus on practical military matters rather than metaphysical arts, aligning with efficient use of resources.
II: Waging War
Sun Tzǔ stresses the financial and material costs of war, advocating for quick victories and foraging on the enemy to minimize expenditure and suffering.
III: Attack by Stratagem
Supreme excellence is defined as capturing the enemy intact and avoiding the slaughter of one's own men.
IV: Tactical Dispositions
The ideal of winning with ease and without unnecessary conflict is central to the chapter's philosophy.
Energy
The emphasis on combined energy and momentum aims to achieve decisive impact without overextending individual soldiers, reflecting efficient use of force.
VI: Weak Points and Strong
By attacking weak points and dividing the enemy, the general can achieve victory with concentrated force, avoiding unnecessary attrition.
Moral Law and Unity
The concept of the 'Moral Law' is presented as a key factor, where the people are in complete accord with their ruler, and the army must be animated by a single spirit to ensure cohesion and willingness to fight.
Where it surfaces
Apologies for War
The chapter argues that war is a form of punishment and a function of government, aligning with the idea that military action serves moral order.
Laying Plans
The Moral Law ensures the people are in accord with their ruler, willing to follow regardless of danger.
IV: Tactical Dispositions
The consummate leader cultivates the moral law and adheres to method and discipline to control success.
Strategic Use of Terrain and Environment
The book dedicates extensive analysis to different types of ground (e.g., accessible, hemmed-in, desperate) and environmental factors like weather and rivers, providing specific tactics for each to gain advantage.
Where it surfaces
VII: Manoeuvring
The chapter highlights the need to be familiar with mountains, forests, pitfalls, marshes, and to use local guides to turn natural advantages to account.
IX: The Army on the March
The entire chapter focuses on how to encamp and maneuver in mountains, rivers, marshes, and flat land, and how to use natural features to one's advantage.
X: Terrain
The entire chapter is devoted to classifying terrain types and prescribing tactics for each, showing how ground shapes battle outcomes.
XI: The Nine Situations
The entire chapter is devoted to classifying nine types of ground and prescribing specific actions for each, emphasizing how terrain dictates tactics.
XII: The Attack by Fire
The chapter details how to use fire and wind direction as environmental aids in attack, emphasizing the need to be to windward and to choose dry seasons and specific star positions.
Endnotes
The notes provide detailed advice on encamping near valleys and water sources, and include the anecdote of Ma Yüan seizing favorable positions to force surrender.
Psychology and Morale
Sun Tzu discusses the manipulation of enemy and soldier psychology, such as studying moods, avoiding a keen enemy spirit, using desperation to harden resolve, and employing signals to focus the army's collective will.
Where it surfaces
Apologies for War
Discusses the natural human propensity to fight when attacked, and the need for a general to be in constant practice to avoid hazarding lives.
II: Waging War
The chapter notes that prolonged war dulls weapons and dampens ardor, and that rousing men to anger is necessary to kill the enemy.
Energy
Sun Tzǔ discusses simulated disorder, fear, and weakness to deceive the enemy, leveraging psychological factors to maintain control and create opportunities.
VI: Weak Points and Strong
The chapter discusses imposing one's will on the enemy, rousing him to reveal his plans, and exploiting his mental and physical state.
VII: Manoeuvring
Sun Tzǔ discusses the art of studying moods, avoiding a keen-spirited enemy, and attacking when the enemy is sluggish, as well as retaining self-possession.
VIII: Variation of Tactics
The five dangerous faults highlight psychological weaknesses that can ruin a general and an army.
