![](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.mindbodyheartandsoul.org/video/sun-tzus-the-art-of-war/&media=https://www.mindbodyheartandsoul.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Sun-Tzus-The-Art-of-War.jpg&description=<h2><span style="color: #993366;">Sun Tzu's The Art of War</span></h2>
Sun Tzu's The Art of War is a renowned guide for how to engage in conflict and be successful in battle. Although accounts differ over the Sun Tzu’s origins, according to a biography written by a 2nd century BC historian was a Chinese warrior and philosopher who lived in the state of Wu in 6th century BC. He details the nature of competition and psychology of leadership and provides strategies for how to approach both.
Sun Tzu is most famous for his book The Art of War, praised as the definitive work on military strategy and tactics prior to the collapse of imperial China. Consisting of 13 chapters, The Art of War is one of the most famous studies on strategies for military success.
The most fundamental of Sun Tzu's principles is that "warfare is based on deception", and he believed that “the supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting". One of his stratagems emphasises the importance of knowing your enemy, “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”.
Although his teachings are geared toward actual military conflict, the principles can be useful in all arenas of conflict or competition. Today his work has found new applications in areas totally unrelated to its original military purpose and used as a guide in business, sport, diplomacy, and even in dating!
Much of Sun Tzu’s teachings revolve around the concept that victory without direct fighting is the most advantageous way to win. Part of attaining this type of battle-free victory involves five traits of successful military operations: the Way, the weather, the terrain, the leadership, and discipline.
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<strong><em><span style="color: #993366;">The Way</span> </em></strong>describes the harmonious relationship between the government and civilian populace. When governments treat their people fairly and with respect, the people will be loyal and more apt to support government decisions when conflict arises. People will also be more willing to join in the conflict if they believe in the government they will be tasked to defend.
<span style="color: #993366;"><strong><em>The weather</em></strong> </span>means the literal seasons and conditions of whatever environment in which the battle will be waged. Certain weather conditions are not conducive for a military campaign. For instance, both winter and summer encompass dangerous conditions, such as blizzards or droughts, that can hinder the advancement, safety, health, and sustenance of a troop.
<strong><em><span style="color: #993366;">The terrain</span> </em></strong>relates to the “lay of the land,” meaning the geographical and physical factors of certain types of terrain. These factors make a parcel of land either advantageous or disadvantageous for advancement or battle. Factors to consider include distance to be traveled, the layout of the terrain and accompanying effort required to cross it, the size of the land, and safety and dangers encompassed in the geography.
<span style="color: #993366;"><strong><em>The leadership</em></strong></span> describes the acuity and competence of the person charged with leading a fighting force. A good leader should be intelligent, trustworthy, humane, courageous, and stern. When all of these factors are at play, the leader is capable of making sound decisions and can count on the people to support them.
<span style="color: #993366;"><strong><em>Discipline</em></strong></span> relates to the structure and organisation of the personnel hierarchy. Determining who is best suited for high-ranking roles, who is capable of being brave, and who is weaker than the others is as important in determining a strong strategy as supplies are for the health of the troops.
You should consider how these five traits affect both your side and your opponent. Only in knowing both your strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of the enemy, can you begin to form a strategic plan. When you understand these traits, you will be able to assess the likelihood of victory in any circumstance. If victory is not certain, you should not engage in conflict.
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<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #993366;">?*?*?</span></p>
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Sun Tzu’s The Art of War
Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is a renowned guide for how to engage in conflict and be successful in battle. Although accounts differ over the Sun Tzu’s origins, according to a biography written by a 2nd century BC historian was a Chinese warrior and philosopher who lived in the state of Wu in 6th century BC. He details the nature of competition and psychology of leadership and provides strategies for how to approach both.
Sun Tzu is most famous for his book The Art of War, praised as the definitive work on military strategy and tactics prior to the collapse of imperial China. Consisting of 13 chapters, The Art of War is one of the most famous studies on strategies for military success.
The most fundamental of Sun Tzu’s principles is that “warfare is based on deception”, and he believed that “the supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting”. One of his stratagems emphasises the importance of knowing your enemy, “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”.
Although his teachings are geared toward actual military conflict, the principles can be useful in all arenas of conflict or competition. Today his work has found new applications in areas totally unrelated to its original military purpose and used as a guide in business, sport, diplomacy, and even in dating!
Much of Sun Tzu’s teachings revolve around the concept that victory without direct fighting is the most advantageous way to win. Part of attaining this type of battle-free victory involves five traits of successful military operations: the Way, the weather, the terrain, the leadership, and discipline.
The Way describes the harmonious relationship between the government and civilian populace. When governments treat their people fairly and with respect, the people will be loyal and more apt to support government decisions when conflict arises. People will also be more willing to join in the conflict if they believe in the government they will be tasked to defend.
The weather means the literal seasons and conditions of whatever environment in which the battle will be waged. Certain weather conditions are not conducive for a military campaign. For instance, both winter and summer encompass dangerous conditions, such as blizzards or droughts, that can hinder the advancement, safety, health, and sustenance of a troop.
The terrain relates to the “lay of the land,” meaning the geographical and physical factors of certain types of terrain. These factors make a parcel of land either advantageous or disadvantageous for advancement or battle. Factors to consider include distance to be traveled, the layout of the terrain and accompanying effort required to cross it, the size of the land, and safety and dangers encompassed in the geography.
The leadership describes the acuity and competence of the person charged with leading a fighting force. A good leader should be intelligent, trustworthy, humane, courageous, and stern. When all of these factors are at play, the leader is capable of making sound decisions and can count on the people to support them.
Discipline relates to the structure and organisation of the personnel hierarchy. Determining who is best suited for high-ranking roles, who is capable of being brave, and who is weaker than the others is as important in determining a strong strategy as supplies are for the health of the troops.
You should consider how these five traits affect both your side and your opponent. Only in knowing both your strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of the enemy, can you begin to form a strategic plan. When you understand these traits, you will be able to assess the likelihood of victory in any circumstance. If victory is not certain, you should not engage in conflict.
.
?*?*?
.
Would you like to support our Foundation? Do you know of a teenage girl who loves to read books? Here’s a link to one of our fundraisers – a teen book titled The Bravehearts of Belgrave High. Click on the following link to read more:
