Sun Tzu | The Art of War

The Art of War by Sun Tzu is an ancient Chinese military text composed of thirteen chapters, that are devoted to the strategic and tactical aspects of warfare. The Art of War explains in detail how we must behave in battle, and, more importantly: how to win. It emphasizes the use of intelligence over brute force and teaches us how to win battles the smart way.

Sun Tzu, also known as Master Sun, was a military strategist, and philosopher, who lived about 2,500 thousand years ago and is traditionally appointed the author of the Art of War. Some Chinese scholars doubt the existence of Sun Tzu, and believe that The Art of War is a compilation of works by different authors. His work inspired numerous people within and outside the military. For example, the Vietnamese general Võ Nguyên Giáp, defeated the French during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, by using tactics described in The Art of War.

The Art of War emphasizes the importance of good preparation. The underlying philosophy is that victory and defeat are already decided before the battle is fought. This means that with sufficient knowledge and calculations, it’s possible to estimate the chances of winning a battle. According to Sun Tzu, the highest victory is defeating the enemy without even fighting. This ideal isn’t always an option. That’s why in life we ought to pick our battles carefully, knowing which are worth fighting and which are a waste of energy and resources.

The battles we choose must be fought as efficient as possible. The strength of an army is limited, so the best way to win a battle is by striking quickly, with the minimal use of resources. Sun Tzu doesn’t advocate for mindless destruction, but for waging war intelligently and leaving the enemy as intact as possible, so their force can become our own.

A way to win smart is the art of deception. For instance, when able, feign inability; when deploying troops, appear not to be. In war, it’s essential to be adaptive to changing circumstances. Like water, war has no constant form. The enemy changes all the time, as well as natural circumstances like season and terrain. Sun Tzu encourages us to derive victory from the changing circumstances of the enemy, while staying formless ourselves.

The Art of War lays out different situations and how to act in them, like different terrains. Sun Tzu distinguishes nine kinds of battlegrounds, that each require different ways of fighting. For example, when the ground is strategically advantageous to either side, it’s 'strategic ground.' Sun Tzu teaches us the importance of finding balance and inner peace when going to war. He also outlines five pitfalls for a general: recklessness, cowardice, a hot temper, a delicacy of honor tending to shame, and a concern for his men leading to trouble.

The Art of War teaches us how to pick and win our battles. Rather than focusing on brute force, Sun Tzu advises us to measure and calculate, to know our enemies and ourselves, so we can be victorious before even making a move. He teaches us how to be smarter than our opponents, deceive and manipulate them, and use any situation to our advantage. If we can defeat an enemy without bloodshed, lead with wisdom and compassion while maintaining discipline, and adapt to the changing nature of earth and heaven, then war is truly an art.