sun tzu art of war essay

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The Art of War

By: History.com Editors

Updated: August 21, 2018 | Original: April 23, 2010

“The art of war is of vital importance to the state. 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 be neglected.” So begins The Art of War, a meditation on the rules of war that was first published in China. Historians don’t know the exact date of the book’s publication (though they believe it to be in the 4th or 5th century); in fact, they don’t even know who wrote it! Scholars have long believed that The Art of War’s author was a Chinese military leader named Sun Tzu, or Sunzi. Today, however, many people think that there was no Sun Tzu: Instead, they argue, the book is a compilation of generations of Chinese theories and teachings on military strategy. Whether or not Sun Tzu was a real person, it’s clear that “he” was very wise: The Art of War still resonates with readers today.

The Mystery of Sun Tzu

For generations, scholars have been trying to figure out who Sun Tzu was–if he existed at all. Legend has it that he was a Chinese military leader in an era known as the Spring and Autumn Period. This was a time of great turmoil in China, as many vassal states vied for power and control of the country’s unpopulated territories. Under these circumstances, Sun Tzu’s skills as a warrior were much in demand.

Did you know? The Art of War became a best-seller in 2001, when television mobster Tony Soprano told his therapist that he’d been reading the book. After that, the book was in such demand that Oxford University Press had to print 25,000 extra copies.

As the story goes, the king of one of the feuding vassal states challenged Sun Tzu to prove his military expertise by turning a harem of royal courtesans into an organized, well-trained fighting force. At first, the courtesans failed to perform their duties; in response, Sun Tzu beheaded two of the king’s favorites in front of everyone. After that, the courtesan armies followed orders perfectly, and the king was so impressed that he put Sun Tzu in charge of his whole military.

Scholars do not know how The Art of War came to be—and whether or not “Sun Tzu,” if he existed, had anything to do with its creation. What they do know is that copies of the book, typically written on sets of sewn-together bamboo slats, ended up in the hands of politicians, military leaders and scholars across China. From there, translated copies of “Sun Tzu’s” work found their way to Korea and Japan. (The oldest Japanese version dates from the 8th century A.D.)

For more than 1,000 years, rulers and scholars across Asia consulted The Art of War as they plotted their military maneuvers and imperial conquests. Japanese samurai, for example, studied it closely. However, it did not reach the Western world until the end of the 18th century, when a Jesuit missionary translated the book into French. (Historians say that the French emperor Napoleon was the first Western leader to follow its teachings.) It was finally translated into English in 1905.

Premises of The Art of War

The Art of War presents the basic principles of warfare and gives military leaders advice on when and how to fight. Its 13 chapters offer specific battle strategies–for example, one tells commanders how to move armies through inhospitable terrain, while another explains how to use and respond to different types of weapons–but they also give more general advice about conflicts and their resolution. Rules like “He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight;” “He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces;” “He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks;” “Victory usually goes to the army who has better trained officers and men;” and “Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril” can be applied to particular battle situations as well as to other kinds of disagreements and challenges.

The Art of War Today

Ever since The Art of War was published, military leaders have been following its advice. In the twentieth century, the Communist leader Mao Zedong said that the lessons he learned from The Art of War helped him defeat Chiang Kai-Shek’s Nationalist forces during the Chinese Civil War . Other recent devotees of Sun Tzu’s work include Viet Minh commanders Vo Nguyen Giap and Ho Chi Minh and American Gulf War generals Norman Schwarzkopf and Colin Powell .

Meanwhile, executives and lawyers use the teachings of The Art of War to get the upper hand in negotiations and to win trials. Business-school professors assign the book to their students and sports coaches use it to win games. It has even been the subject of a self-help dating guide. Plainly, this 2,500-year-old book still resonates with a 21st-century audience.

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69 pages • 2 hours read

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Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-8

Chapters 9-11

Chapters 12-13

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Summary and Study Guide

The Art of War, written in China during the fifth century BCE by military expert Sun Tzu , has been favored reading among soldiers and strategists for two millennia. Its concise 13 chapters, studied to this day by world leaders and generals from Chinese revolutionary Mao Zedong to US Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell, teach victory through studying the opponent, building impregnable defenses, confusing the enemy with diversions, and attacking forcefully its weak spots. The book is recommended reading at leading military academies in the US, Great Britain, and elsewhere.

The principles expounded in The Art of War also apply in other areas of intense competition, such as politics, business, and sports. The book remains especially popular among business leaders, who apply its tenets to their marketplace strategies and tactics . Trial attorneys are known to use the work’s tactics in court.

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Widely available in the public domain, The Art of War boasts several English translations. The celebrated 1910 version translated by Lionel Giles, with annotations, appears in a 2016 eBook edition published by Coterie Classics; it forms the basis for this study guide.

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The Art of War begins with a warning: War is highly risky and must be considered carefully. Five main factors affect a war’s outcome: the quality of the ruler, weather, terrain, military leadership, and the state of the army. Strategists must take all these factors into account, and they must deceive the enemy about their strengths and weaknesses.

War is costly, and an army shouldn’t depend on its own country to feed it, especially during a long campaign, lest it bankrupt the state. Instead, it should forage on the food of the country it invades, capture weaponry from the enemy and use it against them, and treat kindly any prisoners so that they might be induced to join the invaders.

Instead of engaging in direct fighting, it is best to win by frustrating the enemy’s war plans or at least preventing its armies from massing. Direct fighting is a lesser choice, and an extended siege is the worst option. Wise generals know how to deploy their armies against inferior and superior forces, how to make good use of officers’ personality strengths, and how to inspire the men. Good generals know themselves, the enemy, and the situation.

A well-ordered army arranges itself to be impregnable, yet its true strength cannot be seen. Smart commanders plan carefully, taking into account the weather, terrain, and the disposition of enemy troops; they order an attack only at the best moment, suddenly and with tremendous force.

Attacks may be direct or indirect. Indirect sorties sow confusion or, in their apparent weakness, make the opponent overestimate the odds. While thus occupied, the enemy is surprised by a sudden, powerful, direct assault elsewhere against its forces.

An army should arrive early, make itself impossible to attack, and then rest; when the opponent arrives, it should be kept exhausted and preoccupied. Thereafter, the army must only attack at the enemy’s weakest points. If it faces a huge opposing formation, it should attack at unexpected places, which causes the enemy to split its forces and become disorganized.

Once on the move, an army should avoid lengthy treks, but if it maneuvers well, it can force the enemy to take longer routes that fatigue it. To this end, native informants can help leaders better understand terrain and travel routes. It is better to attack the enemy when they’re tired than to strike in the morning when they’re rested.

Perceptive generals take advantage of changing situations by abandoning plans that no longer work. They also check any tendency on their own part toward impatience, anger, fear, pride, and worry.

An army should move quickly through difficult terrain and camp in a valley with high, flat land areas, arranging things so the enemy has difficult terrain at its rear. The leader should watch and listen for telling signs and sounds from the enemy camp, such as the dust of movement, arguments that signal disorder, and indicators of thirst or hunger.

The general must consider six types of ground terrain: desirable flat land, undesirable difficult regions, areas that offer no advantage, cliffs for overhead assault, passes to blockade, and great distances to be avoided. The other dangerous terrain lies inside the minds of the officers, who must take care to avoid the rocks and pitfalls of over eagerness, weakness, anger, lack of clarity, and lack of planning.

Nine situations can affect an army’s resolve. When stationed in home territory or the land just inside the enemy’s borders, soldiers will be thinking of returning to their families. Some borderlands divide several countries at once; here, the leader can intimidate those states and bring them into alliances. Deep within enemy territory, the invaders will face dire situations that the general can use to inspire bold and energetic fighting.

A daring leader can shoot flaming arrows into an enemy camp and pick off its soldiers as they emerge. Fire can also be used to destroy provisions, weapons, and supply lines. Beyond the use of fire, other innovations may present themselves—redirecting river waters to flood a foe’s camp, for example—and good leaders must avail themselves of these opportunities as they arise.

No army should venture into enemy territory without excellent intelligence gathered from spies and informants. Five types of spies can be used: local, culled from natives; inward, working within the opponent’s government; converted, or captured spies treated well; doomed, who are given false information and then betrayed into the hands of the enemy; and surviving spies, who go deep undercover and return with vital intelligence.

At 9,500 words, The Art of War is short, concise, and filled with useful advice. Most of the book is clear and easy to understand. The work is so pithy that some of its phrases may seem esoteric or enigmatic. Certain paragraphs make reference to historical events largely unknown in the West; others use words in unusual ways that beg to be clarified. Scholars have analyzed the book thoroughly and explained virtually all its passages, especially the ones that might confuse the modern reader. This guide reflects those understandings.

Each short chapter is divided into numbered paragraphs, most of which consist of a single sentence. Quotations from the book are cited by chapter and paragraph number.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — The Art of War — Mastering the Art of War: A Comprehensive Analysis

Mastering The Art of War: a Comprehensive Analysis

• Categories: The Art of War

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Words: 953 |

Published: Mar 1, 2019

Words: 953 | Pages: 3 | 5 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, historical context and significance, key principles of the art of war, the enduring relevance of the art of war, works cited.

• Chen, C. (2010). The Art of War: Military Strategy and Tactics in Ancient China. Journal of Military History, 74(1), 265-283.
• Coetzee, J. M. (2003). The Art of War. London Review of Books, 25(20), 12-15.
• Griffith, S. B. (2019). The Art of War: Sun Tzu's Timeless Strategic Wisdom. Military Review, 99(2), 92-100.
• Lorge, P. A. (2006). War, Politics and Society in Early China. The Journal of Military History, 70(1), 157-159.
• Sawyer, R. D. (2012). The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China. Basic Books.
• Sondhaus, L. (2010). The Art of War in the Modern World. Oxford University Press.
• Sun, T., & Giles, L. (2005). The Art of War. TarcherPerigee.
• Sun, H. (2011). Sun Tzu: The Art of War for Managers; 50 Strategic Rules Updated for Today's Business. Adams Media.
• Xie, Y. (2017). The Art of War in Ming China: Strategy, Warfare, and Conflict Resolution. Lexington Books.
• Zhang, P., & Peng, W. (2018). The Art of War: Ancient Wisdom for Contemporary Business. HarperBusiness.

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The best lessons from 'Art of War,' a book Evan Spiegel bought Snapchat employees when he felt threatened by Facebook

When Mark Zuckerberg and Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel first met, Spiegel left the meeting feeling unsettled.

According to a Forbes interview with Spiegel , Zuckerberg had said Facebook was working on an app that sounded a lot like Snapchat, Poke, and that the app would be launching soon.

'It was basically like, 'We're going to crush you,'" Spiegel told Forbes' J.J. Colao.

Spiegel quickly purchased a book, " The Art of War " by Sun Tzu, for each member of his six-person team.

The Art of War was written by a Chinese general named Sun Tzu more than 2,500 years ago, possibly in the 6th Century BC .  The book has long been heralded for its advice on military success. And this advice has since been co-opted by legions of armchair soldiers and generals in the business world.

The book is composed of 13 chapters, each of which focuses on a different aspect of war. It's a smart book. It's also poetic, repetitive, and arcane. So we've boiled down the highlights, compiling quotes from throughout the book.

ON MANAGEMENT: Care about your team, but also be tough

There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general:  

• recklessness , which leads to destruction;
• cowardice , which leads to capture;
• a hasty temper , which can be provoked by insults;
• a delicacy of honor, which is sensitive to shame;
• over-solicitude for his men , which exposes him to worry and trouble.   

Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.

If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose.   

When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixed duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization.

Based on text from " The Art of War ."

ON MANAGEMENT: Hire great people, because weak, frustrated subordinates will cripple you.

When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse. 

When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or not he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin. 

ON STRATEGY: Know your enemy

If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.

In your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this way:

• which of the two generals has the most ability? 
• on which side is Discipline most rigorously enforced?  
• which army is stronger? 
• on which side are the officers and men more highly trained? 
• in which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment? 

Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical. 

ON TACTICS: All warfare is based on deception

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

ON TACTICS: Be decisive and quick

Though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.     

There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.   

The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.   

Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.   

Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted...

Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots. 

ON TACTICS: Exploit your enemy's weaknesses, avoid his strengths

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

Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.   

If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high rampart and a deep ditch. All we need do is attack some other place that he will be obliged to relieve. 

So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.   

Based on text from " The Art of War ."  

ON TACTICS: Don't just do something for the sake of doing something -- make sure it helps you

If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.

ON TACTICS: Plan ahead -- don't make it up as you go

Ponder and deliberate before you make a move. 

Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans. 

The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the Ch'ang mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both. 

We cannot enter into alliance with neighbouring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country – its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides. 

Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.

WARNING: Don't attack someone just because they made you mad

No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.

INFORMATION IS KING: Don't go into battle without knowing what you're up against

What enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge. 

Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation. 

Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men. [i.e., spies.] 

Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity. 

They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. 

Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports. 

Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business.

When a general, unable to estimate the enemy's strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one, and neglects to place picked soldiers in the front rank, the result must be rout. 

He who knows things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated. 

Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient. 

HOW TO LOSE: Tell your people to do something they can't; promote incapable people; or work your team to death

There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune on his army:

• By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called hobbling the army.
• By attempting to govern an army in the same way as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of the conditions which obtain in an army. This causes restlessness in the soldiers' minds.
• By employing the officers of his army without discrimination, through ignorance of the military principle of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers.

The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and use combined energy 

When he uses combined energy, his fighting men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope; if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if round-shaped to go rolling down. 

MISCELLANEOUS: Drag yourself out of bed early -- and other tips

Now a soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is only on returning to camp. 

When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food. 

If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst. 

If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary. 

Thus the skilful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.

It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order. 

He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance. 

Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man. 

Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory:

• He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight . 
• He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. 
• He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. 
• He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. 
• He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign. 

In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. So, too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them. 

Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field. 

The good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy. 

Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer without being able to do it. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

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Or you can read it for free, here.

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The Art Of War Essay Questions

Essay questions.

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

Written by Polly Barbour, Arfa Saad, Tyson adewa

What is the most important part of going to war?

The most important part of going to war, according to the author, is planning. This does not just mean planning in a logistical sense but planning each detail from beginning to end, and also planning the philosophy of the campaign too. For example, why is war desired? Is it possible to carry out a campaign without force? What ends will be achieved? Before each campaign begins the author maintains that it is important to look at war from a philosophical perspective rather than a political one and understand the "why" before addressing the issue of how.

After the philosophical element of war has been addressed, the author then tells of the importance of planning before the campaign begins rather than planning as it goes along. Of course, the ability to change course according to the result is required and so a good Warlord would be able to think on their feet, but an awful lot of errors can be avoided with diligent planning.

What is the importance of "spin" in a campaign?

The author describes a kind of smoke-and-mirrors strategy that is pivotal to the success of war. There is a need to manipulate the interpretation of what the enemy is seeing and the main example that the author uses for this is that of a radically slowed down line of troops. Their movement may be hampered by a lack of numbers injuries or bad strategy, but it is important to appear as though this slow movement is deliberate. By raising banners and flags, and by making as much noise as possible, the line of slow-moving troops will be presumed to be a procession rather than an invading army and so the enemy will not be on its guard. This is spinning the facts, glossing over the fact that the invading army is in trouble, and giving the impression that they are not a threat at all and certainly not a threat that requires action or reaction.

What are the winning strategies in war?

To win a battle, an army should remain prepared with all the necessary weapons, but it must deceive the enemy by depicting the lack of preparation for war. In this way, the enemy would most probably attack by considering himself as much more powerful than the opponent. When the enemy attacks, the army would employ all the essential tactics which he had learned before. The enemy would get confused and frightened and it is the best chance to defeat him.

How are the elements of nature employed in the book?

There are four basic elements of nature i.e. air, water, fire, and soil. The element of air has been employed for the attack of an army as it should be as swift as wind. The element of water has been utilized to demonstrate the attitude of the army that an enemy should be flexible like water. It should be capable of adjusting in any form in all circumstances. The invasion of an army should be as devastating as fire and before attack, the march should be calm like soil or forest.

What does the book say about the motive of war?

The book revolves around war and the strategies which are important during the war. The author has taught the reader all the necessary arrangements, that is proper weapons, which are prerequisites for encountering the enemy. However, the author says that there should be a proper motive behind war because a warlord does nothing against the will of the heavens.

Who, as determined by characteristics, is a warlord?

The warlord is like a leader who orders to troops to take necessary measures and training for war. He enquires whether the individuals in the troops are content with their jobs or not. He discusses the motives of the troops with the individuals and imparts war tactics to them. A warlord employs a diplomatic attitude as he depicts that he is not prepared for war but shows great skills and tactics when he confronts his enemy.

Discuss the significance of Sun Tzu's concept of "knowing yourself and knowing your enemy" in contemporary military strategy.

Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and understanding one's adversary as fundamental principles of successful warfare. In contemporary military strategy, this concept remains highly relevant. Knowing one's strengths and weaknesses allows for strategic planning and resource allocation. Understanding the enemy's capabilities, intentions, and weaknesses enables effective decision-making, intelligence gathering, and the formulation of appropriate tactics. This knowledge forms the basis for developing comprehensive strategies that maximize strengths, exploit weaknesses, and achieve objectives with minimal risk.

Examine the role of deception and psychological warfare in Sun Tzu's strategies, citing examples from "The Art of War."

Deception and psychological warfare are central elements of Sun Tzu's strategies, aimed at manipulating perceptions, sowing confusion, and undermining the enemy's morale. Sun Tzu advocates for the use of tactics such as feints, misinformation, and the exploitation of weaknesses to outmaneuver opponents. For instance, he suggests appearing weak when strong and strong when weak to deceive adversaries and create strategic advantages. The use of spies and intelligence gathering is also emphasized to gather information, mislead the enemy, and exploit vulnerabilities. These tactics illustrate Sun Tzu's recognition of the psychological dimension of warfare and the importance of strategic manipulation in achieving victory.

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The Art Of War Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Art Of War is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

what does the author recommend if an army is outnumbered by the enemy

If you outnumber the enemy ten to one, surround him; five to one, attack him; two to one, split him. If forces are equal, engage him in open battle; if you in turn are slightly outnumbered, evade his advances; if you are heavily outnumbered,...

STUDY OF LITERATURE

From the text, though I am not sure this is the text you are using in class.....

"Situated as it is in Morgannwg (Glamorgan), on the River Usk, not far from the Severn Sea, in a most pleasant position, and being richer in material wealth than...

From the text:

Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy. Thus the army will have food enough for its needs.

Study Guide for The Art Of War

The Art Of War study guide contains a biography of Sun Tzu, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Art Of War
• The Art Of War Summary
• Character List

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An Analysis of Sun Tzu's The Art of War

Welcome to the "Ways In" section of this Macat analysis. This is an introductory section, summarising the most important points of this work in one 10-minute read. Macat's Analyses are definitive studies of the most important books and papers in the humanities and social sciences. Each analysis is written by an academic specialist in the field. Each one harnesses the latest research to investigate the influences that led to the work being written, the ideas that make it important, and the impact that it has had in the world. A powerful resource for students, teachers and lifelong learners everywhere, our analyses are proven by the University of Cambridge to improve critical thinking skills. Read the whole of this analysis and explore our library at www.macat.com.

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The Art of War - Sun Tzu Attack by Stratagem 2 The Attack by Fire 5 Laying Plans 8 Waging War 11 The Nine Situations 14 Terrain 23 Tactical Dispositions 28 Weak Points and Strong 31 Variation in Tactics 36 Maneuvering 38 Energy 42 The Use of Spies 45 The Army on the March 49

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The notion that Sun Tzu represents the multifaceted brilliance and timeless appeal of Amadeus to Clausewitz’s dour and overwrought Salieri maintains a powerful grip over our collective imagination. But does this accurately reflect the state of contemporary Sun Tzu analysis? Have we truly figured this text out to the point where we have reached consensus over its relevance? Dissenting from the majority opinion, which seems to effortlessly commune with this enigmatic founding father of military strategic thought, I argue that we haven’t yet come close to fully cataloguing the good, the bad, and just plain ugly within this endlessly fascinating, but ultimately flawed document.

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The art of war is of vital importance to the State. 2. 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 be neglected. 3. 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 the field. 4. These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline. 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. 7. HEAVEN signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons. 8. EARTH comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death. 9. The COMMANDER stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness.

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Strategy Ideas From ”The Art of War” by Sun Tzu Essay (Book Review)

Introduction, chapters review.

Even though the range of subjects, addressed by Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is indeed rather vague, it is still possible to define the treatise’s main discursive premise – waging war (indulging in competition) is a highly systemic pursuit, which requires a great deal of preliminary planning. In its turn, this particular requirement is predetermined by the fact that the activity in question is the subject to the rules of thermodynamics – something that makes it possible to proceed with it in a thoroughly rational (analytical) manner.

According to Sun Tzu (the treatise’s alleged author), this is the key to success in the mentioned undertaking, “Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat… It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose” (Giles, 2005, p. 40). In light of this particular provision, it is fully appropriate to draw parallels between the organizations and armies, as the entities that aim to achieve essentially the same set of objectives.

As Kilinc, Oncu, and Tasgit (2012) noted, while referring to the ideas contained in the treatise, “Firms and armies have similar understanding and implementations in many respects… (They are) open systems affected by environmental (inner-outer) changes, hierarchical structure” (p. 9). As the open thermodynamic systems, armies and commercial organizations are bound to aspire to win a ‘higher ground’ while dealing with their rivalries.

Thus, with respect to Sun Tzu’s The Art of War , ‘strategy’ can be defined as the creation of the objective preconditions for an army/firm to have a heightened chance of coming to a winner out of the military/competitive clash with the rivalry. Probably the main of such preconditions has to do with ensuring that the manner, in which military-commanders/managers seek to achieve this particular goal, is reflective of these individuals’ willingness to observe the principles of systemic thinking.

In their turn, these principles define the undertaking’s sub-sequential phases, “Situation appraisal; formulation of goals and strategies; evaluation of strategies; implementation of strategies; strategic controls” (Wu, Chih, & Ya-Jung, 2004, p. 397). This provides yet another qualitative dimension to the proposed definition of strategy – the concerned notion implies that those in charge of strategic planning must think two steps ahead of their competitors, while never ceasing to remain ready to adjust the chosen strategic approach to be fully consistent with what happened to be the external circumstances of relevance at the time (Lee & Sai, 2000).

In other words, to be able to prove an effective strategist (either as a military-commander or manager), one must not only be able to layout a well-thought plan for gaining an upper hand in a particularly competitive field, but also to anticipate what may account for the continually transforming challenges of this plan’s practical implementation.

There can be only a few doubts as to the fact that the environment scanning techniques, such as SWOT and PEST, do directly relate to the methodology of the book’s strategic assessments. The reason for this is apparent – one of the main ideas promoted by The Art of War is that the appropriateness of a particularly strategic move, on the part of a military commander, is measured with respect to what happened to be the geographical characteristics of the landscape, where the battle is to take place.

For example, according to the treatise, a military leader must be fully aware that enabling his army to seize a higher ground (prior to engaging the enemy), will provide him with the advantage of enjoying a strategic initiative in the battle, “The particular advantage of securing heights and defiles is that your actions cannot then be dictated by the enemy” (Giles, 2005, p. 108). Consequently, the army’s advantage of ‘holding heights’ will define the essence of the would-be deployed engagement-tactics, on its part.

The conceptual premise behind SWOT and PEST resonates with such an idea perfectly well – both of these environment-assessing methodologies are concerned with enabling the organization to realize what accounts for its competitive advantages/weaknesses, defined by the surrounding competitive environment. In the aftermath of having identified the organization’s strengths and flaws, regarding the qualitative dynamics in the targeted market, managers will be able to choose in favor of a circumstantially sound strategy to address the challenge of ensuring that their organization remains ahead of the competition.

This, of course, suggests that in full accordance with the treatise’s main postulates, conducting the SWOT/PEST analysis is primarily about pinpointing at what may account for the externally applied stimuli, within the context of how a particular organization intends to deal with its competitors. As Kilinc et al. (2012) argued, “The analysis of the environmental conditions is one of the most important processes in the stage of forming and implementing strategies” (p. 14).

Whereas The Art of War encourages military leaders to pay much attention to what happened to be the battleground’s physical features, the methodological framework of SWOT and PEST presupposes placing the research-focus on the environmental aspects of the organization’s functioning. Nevertheless, despite being concerned with the seemingly incompatible subject matters, both practices are equally reflective of their affiliates’ tendency to apply a systemic approach to defining the nature of the relationship between causes and effects, within the competitive setting. Therefore, it indeed makes much sense drawing parallels between the conceptual provisions of The Art of War , on one hand, and the mentioned environment-scanning techniques, on the other.

Laying plans

In this chapter, Sun Tzu makes a few references to the fact that a military commander must be qualified, in the sense of possessing the psychological traits of a true leader, ”The commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness” (Giles, 2005, p. 36). Apparently, the same applies to the heads of large companies, as well. After all, it is now being commonly suggested that the main reason why the Apple Corporation proved utterly successful is that its former CEO Steve Jobs did possess the mentioned leadership qualities. This, in turn, allowed him to inspire the company’s employees – something that had a positive effect on the overall measure of Apple’s competitiveness

Attack by stratagem

According to one of the suggestions, contained in this chapter, “To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting” (Giles, 2005, p. 46). The suggestion’s validity is best illustrated, in regard to the competitive strategy of the already mentioned Apple Corporation. Because Apple has always been very quick incorporating the most recent technological breakthroughs in the line of its products, this allowed the company to benefit from holding a number of patent-monopolies – something that automatically puts the competing rivalries in the disadvantaged position, because they have no other option but to follow the ‘rules of the game’ set by Apple (Vroman, 1997).

One of the main ideas promoted throughout the entirety of this a particular chapter is that it represents the matter of crucial importance for a military leader to make sure that his immediate subordinates obey orders in a speedy and efficient manner. The reason for this is that it enables him to exercise close control of the army, which in turn will account for the important strategic advantage in the battlefield.

As the treatise’s author pointed out, “The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers” (Giles, 2005, p. 58). In the world of business, the idea’s validity can be shown, concerning the sheer speed with which the Toyota Corporation adjusts its production lines to the assemblage of new car-models. This specific advantage was in part brought about by the fact that the company’s employees are deeply committed to the conventions of Toyota’s corporate culture (Low & Teo, 2005).

The use of spies

The treatise encourages army generals to resort to the help of spies, as the mean of remaining fully informed about the enemy’s intentions. The term ‘industrial espionage’ implies that the concerned practice continues to be widely deployed in today’s corporate world, as well. To exemplify the soundness of this suggestion, we can refer to the recent instances of the Chinese manufacturers of high-tech gadgets having been caught trying to steal industrial secrets from their competitors in the West.

Giles, L. (2005). The art of war, Sun Tzu . Web.

Kilinc, I., Oncu, M. A., & Tasgit, Y. E. (2012). Sun Tzu’s principles of war art and today’s competition strategies: A relative approach. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, 1 (1), 8-17.

Lee, S., & Sai, A. (2000). Building a balanced scorecard with SWOT analysis, and implementing Sun Tzu’s the art of business management strategies” on QFD methodology. Managerial Auditing Journal, 15 (1), 68-76.

Low, S., & Teo, H. (2005). Modern-day lean construction principles: Some questions on their origin and similarities with Sun Tzu’s art of war. Management Decision, 43 (4), 523-541.

Vroman, H. (1997). Sun Tzu and the art of business. The Academy of Management Executive, 11 (1), 129-130.

Wu, W., Chih, H., & Ya-Jung, W. (2004). A study of strategy implementation as expressed through Sun Tzu’s principles of war. Industrial Management & Data Systems , 104 (5), 396-408.

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The Art of War

This essay will provide an overview of Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War,” discussing its main principles and their applications in various fields beyond military strategy, such as business and leadership. The piece will explore the enduring relevance of this ancient text in modern times. On PapersOwl, there’s also a selection of free essay templates associated with China.

How it works

Sun Tzu created a lyrical masterpiece when he wrote the book The Art of War. This is a short text describing the military tactics and strategies used in war to defeat the enemy. Written before the official record of Chinese history, it remains a classic literary work studied and studied by generations. It displays the culture, intelligence and progress of China during a period of limited technology and resources. Sun Tzu provides war tactics using philosophical concepts. By applying deep thinking and understanding of war, “Sun Tzu provides a framework for strategic improvement in many areas.

” This includes leadership, business, and human behavior. There are many arguments regarding this text, ranging from its morality to its usefulness, and even its authorship. By studying its historical context, craft, and expression, one can better understand Sun Tzu and this great literary classic.

The art of war is literature that has stood the test of time. Information about Sun Tzu and this classical text written before the recording of Chinese history is limited. The time in which Sun Tzu lived is debated among scholars. While one researcher suggests that the book was written after 500 BC. Regardless of the era, war was an important topic due to the political and social climax of the era. It was “an age of a multi-country, unstable world, in which conflicts often arose over control of land and people.”

Although the social environment was unstable at times, other areas of ancient China flourished and cultivated. Songqi lived during the Han Dynasty, which was also the time when the history and history of China was collected and recorded by the historian Sim Qian. Sima Qian lived “four hundred years after the Songqi era” and contains the only documented account of Songqi in Chinese history. This story describes Sungqi’s popularity for The Art of War and his skills in military strategy. In this story, King Hu Hu of Wu put Songqi’s skills to the test by asking him to prepare women for military battle. When the women refused to listen and disobeyed his orders to go, he killed two female commanders. The women then obeyed him, achieving what Sungqi called “Shock and Awe”; “Shock and awe, and therefore compliance or surrender, as a result of the very selective, extremely brutal and merciless and swift use of force to intimidate.”

This event not only gave him fame, but also created a legend. The expression and meaning of the text varies from state to state and from person to person. However, the meaning gained from reading The Art of War also varies across time and culture. While this was being written, the Han Dynasty witnessed the rise of the Confucian tradition that stimulated Chinese culture and ideology. This ideology “is based on considerations of a benevolent and wise rule achieved by an orderly society that is attentive to correct understanding, attitudes, definitions and rituals.” Bringing words and terms only to their original context, Confucians interpret Sun Tzu’s writings significantly differently than his intentions. Confucians took the work as literal and did not apply deep thought and understanding. For example, when Sun Tzu claims that “all war is based on deception,” many have misinterpreted this line and its meaning. Confucians thought this encouraged people to be deceitful in life and in their interactions with others. However, people from other cultures and times have observed this in different ways. When Taoism entered Chinese ideology centuries later, they understood the text with greater depth and meaning. This is because “Taoism rejects harsh definitions, certainty and superficial understanding and therefore has always been a philosophical counterbalance to the superficially ordered Confucian world.” It turns out to be important to understand the dynamics of the text and how it is used and applied. Applying the philosophical concepts outlined in The Art of War indirectly links the book to a deeper understanding of human nature, behavior and military tactics. As a result, most readers and scholars apply additional thoughts to the work. “Modern Chinese translators … characterize Songqi’s position on the war as Shenzhen (that is, they show great caution and restraint in military matters).” The author argues that Sunzi encouraged intelligent strategies that used as little force and violence as possible to subdue the enemy.

While this is emphasized in The Art of War, it ironically contradicts many of the military tactics used today. As a result, Art of War offers strategies that can be used and applied to maintain justice and morale in combat. “The art of war is a guide to military success; it does not glorify war or promote the aggressive use of military force.” Following this thin line, Sun Tzu created text of useful genres and fields. This is due to the understanding and depth that he brings to war and strategy, linking it to art. Consequently, Sun Tzu used various elements to create this piece. He uses theories that, at first glance, have nothing to do with war, battle and control. In the first chapter, Sun Tzu argues that war is defined by “five constant factors that must be considered in the discussion when determining the conditions in force on the ground.” This is the Moral Law of the Heavenly Earth, the Commander, as well as Method and discipline. ” By applying these themes to the art of war, people can observe the additional meaning of this text and relate it to real life. These items not only dictate the art of war, but also dictate the actions and leadership of others. The components relate to how distance, leadership and discipline are applied in different walks of life. Therefore, by replacing war with other words, such as sportsmanship or business, many can use these same strategies in other areas. For example, when Sun Tzu states that he “holds the bait to seduce the enemy,” the theory can be applied to different areas. The manager can “pull the bait to seduce” employees, which can be used to increase employee satisfaction. Thus, with the help of these elements, Sun Tzu was able to create a book that can have multiple uses and devices to improve the individual and society.

Sun Tzu asserts that “war is the greatest business of the state, the basis of life and death, a way of survival or extinction. This needs to be carefully considered and analyzed. ” Sun Tzu does this throughout the text, changing the way war is understood and waged. Much of the “Eastern path of war is rooted in Sun Tzu’s philosophy.” This philosophy is observed not only in Chinese culture, but also in other cultures throughout the East, including Russia and India. While Sun Tzu emphasizes the use of deception to defeat the enemy, it is also necessary to use intelligence. At the same time, military forces can defeat the enemy with the least possible force. This concerns the importance of human life and minimizing destruction. Through this philosophy, the military can maintain the property, value, and economy of a conquered territory. This is the behavior that is displayed

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