About Writer
Sun Tzu was a military general in China about 2500 years ago. He was a philosopher also and an author of a masterpiece book The Art of War that was written on military strategy. Sun Tzu’s creation represents a philosophy of war and is influential to date. The reason for its popularity is those universal strategies that are not only applicable to warfare but also to battles we face in our day-to-day life. Every difficult situation we face in life is a battle and to win it we can follow strategies represented in Sun Tzu’s masterpiece The Art of War.
Summary
“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.”
The reason for starting the summary with this quotation is, this is the most crucial lesson given in this book. In every battle of your life, the most important thing is to know the potential and weaknesses of yourself and your enemy. Without this knowledge, you’re not even eligible to fight.
This book consists of thirteen chapters and we shall discuss here some important lessons given by the great philosopher of war strategy in this book.
Planning
Sun Tzu delineates the importance of strategy-making depending on all the factors that play a key role in the war. Let’s discuss the factors first to understand what strategy-making is near Sun Tzu.
Moral Influence
The leader’s influence on the people under him is very important as they are going to put their lives at stake at his command. The leader gives them a purpose to fight and people’s confidence in the leader decides whether he wins or loses.
Heaven and Earth
The weather condition and type of land in which you’re fighting are very important. You must plan your strategy according to them and make the best use of them to gain victory. If you blindly go into the war without considering these factors you will suffer a great loss.
The Commander
The commander of the army must be brave with strong nerves and should be kind to his soldiers. But he should not be tender enough that he may fear the death rate of his soldiers. This will stop him from taking a brave decision. He should be a blend of strictness and softheartedness.
Discipline
Sun Tzu suggests that the army must be properly divided into ranks. From higher to lower ranks, this discipline helps a methodical advance and attack of the army.
Sun Tzu says about these factors:
“Those who master them win; those who do not are defeated.”
By keeping these factors in mind and by optimizing them in your war strategy you can defeat even a stronger enemy.
Decisiveness
After planning you must be rapid in taking action. Sun Tzu says,
“There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.”
Prolonged warfare causes a shortage of resources like food and water etc. It can badly affect the morale of soldiers. Decisions must be quick but they should be strategic, not outrageous that they uselessly put at stake lives and resources.
War Strategy
Sun Tzu maintains that:
If you can destroy the strategy of your enemy you can win without fighting and this is the best victory.
Isolate your enemy, your enemy will not be able to fight you if he is separated from his allies.
If both these things are impossible then attack your enemy but keep in mind the following factors.
You must outnumber your enemy, if your enemy is bigger then divide it. Avoid fighting and try to escape if the enemy is much bigger than you.
War Tactics
The proper calculation is very important before waging war. A leader should analyze everything like space, weather, the number of his and the enemy’s army etc. and estimate the chances of victory. To enter the war with just a hope of victory without accurate calculations results in defeat.
Optimization of Energy
A well-organized army enables you to get maximum benefits out of available force. Divide your army into smaller to greater ranks and each inferior officer should follow his superior and ultimately all should be properly guided by the commands of the leader.
When the army is scattered in different spaces, the organization must not break. There should be proper communication and every order should be delivered even to the most inferior soldier. In this way, maximum utilization of energy can be assured.
Strengths and weaknesses
Sun Tzu here gives another very effective war strategy, that is, to delude your enemy about your strengths and weaknesses.
When you’re weak, show them that you are in greater numbers and stronger. This will create an overwhelming effect on them and they will be unable to take brave decisions.
When you’re greater in number and are strong, pretend to be weak and show them that you’re less in number. They will attack outrageously and be overconfident. This will ultimately lead them to defeat.
Use of Fire and Spies
Sun Tzu suggests using fire during the war. This is the most effective weapon to destroy the enemy. (Note: 2500 years ago there were no proper weapons as there are today to attack with fire, Sun Tzu’s suggestion to attack by fire has today become the basis of military operations)
Spies win the half battle by delivering important information about the enemy’s whole strategy of war and other information like the condition of the army etc. Spies can also be used to misguide the enemy by delivering wrong information to them. So spies are also a weapon and the most powerful one.
How The Art of War is a Valuable Book for Common People
Everyone has to fight battles in life. By following the strategies given in this book, one can fight these battles with dignity and confidence. I think many people just give up for the reason that they don’t have any idea of what to do. They need a pathway. For me, this book can show them a path and teach them the tactics to pass through the ups and downs of that path.