The Art of War by Sun Tzu, also known as The Military Classic, The Classic of Warfare, Sun Wu’s Art of War, or Wu’s Sun Tzu Art of War, is an ancient Chinese military treatise authored by Sun Wu, a native of the Qi state during the late Spring and Autumn period. The book is divided into thirteen chapters:
Chapter 1: Laying Plans
Sun Tzu said:
Warfare is a matter of vital importance to the state, a matter of life and death, survival or ruin. It must be thoroughly examined.
Thus, evaluate it through five factors and assess their conditions through comparisons:
- Dao (Moral Influence): The harmony between ruler and people, enabling them to face death or life without fear of danger.
- Heaven: The cycles of yin and yang, cold and heat, and the constraints of seasons.
- Earth: Distances, terrain difficulty, open or confined spaces, and areas of life or death.
- General: Wisdom, trustworthiness, benevolence, courage, and strictness.
- Law: Organization, chain of command, and resource management.
Every general knows these five factors. Those who understand them win; those who do not, lose.
Thus, compare and assess: Which ruler has the moral influence? Which general has ability? Who has the advantage of heaven and earth? Whose laws and orders are enforced? Whose troops are stronger? Whose soldiers are better trained? Whose rewards and punishments are clearer? From these, I can determine victory or defeat.
A general who heeds my strategies will win and should be retained; one who ignores them will lose and should be dismissed.
When strategies are advantageous, create momentum to support external efforts. Momentum arises from seizing opportunities.
Warfare is the way of deception.
Thus, appear incapable when capable, inactive when active, near when far, far when near.
Lure with benefits, seize amid chaos, prepare against strength, avoid the powerful, provoke the angry, humble the arrogant, tire the rested, divide the united, attack the unprepared, and strike where unexpected.
This is the strategist’s path to victory, which cannot be taught in advance.
Those who calculate thoroughly in the temple before battle and secure many advantages win; those with few calculations lose. How much worse for those with none? Through this lens, victory or defeat is clear.
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