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Explanation of the book The Art of War by Sun Tzu - Strategies to Win Competitions. Also refer to army, China, military, strategy, tactics, troops, killing, opponent, victory, plans, attack, enemy, defenses, energy, maneuvering, variation, marching, terrain, fire, spy, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
"The Art of War" by Sun Tzu:
1. Laying Plans
by Ron Kurtus (18 December 2005)
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. There are five factors in laying plans, considerations for generals, and methods to deceive the enemy.
Questions you may have include:
- What are the five factors in laying plans?
- What are considerations for generals?
- What are methods to deceive the enemy?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Five factors
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. These are:
- The Moral Law
- Heaven
- Earth
- The Commander
- Method and discipline.
The Moral Law
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
Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.
Earth
Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.
Commander
The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness.
Method and discipline
By method and discipline are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.
Considerations for generals
These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail. Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise:
- Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law?
- Which of the two generals has most ability?
- With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?
- On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?
- Which army is stronger?
- On which side are officers and men more highly trained?
- In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?
By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.
The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat:--let such a one be dismissed!
While heading the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules.
According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one's plans.
Deception
All warfare is based on deception.
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 then crush him.
If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him.
If he is in superior strength, evade him.
If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him.
Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
If he is taking his ease, give him no rest.
If his forces are united, separate them.
Attack him where he is unprepared.
Appear where you are not expected.
These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.
Summary
The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple were the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.
Plan carefully
Resources
The following are resources on this subject.
Websites
Books
Top-rated
books on Warfare Strategies
The Art of War by Sun Tzu; Running Press Book Publishers (2003) $4.95
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
1. What factor does the Moral Law have in warfare?
2. What can be seen from the seven considerations for generals?
3. What is a way to deceive the enemy?
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Winning Competitions. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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"The Art of War" by Sun Tzu: 1. Laying Plans