The Art of War by: Sun Tzu Review Part 3: Attack by Stratagem

Hello Steemians, this is a continuation of my Art of War review series (Part 3/13 to be exact). I'm happy to see that the community has really enjoyed the content I am creating, as it is very time consuming. Anyway, I have some free time because of 2 study halls today. Here is Attack by Strategem. (Please Note that I typed everything myself, and did NOT copy any online sources, however this is based on the Giles 1910 translation which is in the Public Domain.) 

 [Image Source: pixabay.com, License: CCO Public Domain] 

Art of War original text

cmp2020 commentary

Attack by Strategem

1. Sun Tzu said: 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 is not so good. So, too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy them.

Whenever you are given the opportunity, show mercy. To show mercy towards your enemies, means they are more likely to show mercy to you. (Real world example: Rather than turn your coworker in for being late, don't say anything. Next time you are late he shall do the same).

2. Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

It is ideal to win the battle before it starts, if you get to the point where you need to fight, you've already made a mistake. (Real world example: It is better to be a profitable company at your regular prices, then to depend on numerous sales with low markdown on black Friday).

3. Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans; the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy's army in the field; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.

The best thing to do is stop your competition's plans in action; the next best is to hold off your competition's plan; the last best is to wait until you have to respond to a competitor's plan.

4. The rule is, not to besiege walled cities if it can possibly be avoided. The preparation of mantlets, movable shelters, and various implements of war, will take up three whole months; and the piling up of mounds over against the walls will take three months more.

Don't waste your time. Only do hard work when necessary. Always try to find the most efficient method of accomplishing your goals. (Real world example: Rather than read 1 gigantic Art of War review, read 13 smaller reviews, you most likely learn more because you are not reading all that information at once :)

5. The general, unable to control his irritation, will launch his men to the assault like swarming ants, with the result that one-third of his men are slain, while the town still remains untaken. Such are the disastrous effects of a siege.

When you do work that is hard to bear, expect to lose resources and get little accomplished. This is what happens when you chose to do unnecessary work. (Real world example: Typing the entire book the Art of War instead of just copying from an online source).

6. 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.

You are skillful when you understand the easiest most efficient way of accomplishing the task at hand. (Real world example: A pianist uses fingerings that make the most sense to use. He does not use unnecessary fingerings to accomplish the exact same sound. He knows that some fingerings give the same result, but make the task more difficult).

7. With his forces intact he will dispute the mastery of the Empire, and  thus, without losing a man,  his triumph will be complete. This is the method of attacking by stratagem.

By doing things in the easiest most efficient way, you will gain assets, and have very little deficit. (Real world example: By performing only the job at hand in the easiest and most productive way. The common employee will gain salary, trust, and promotion).

8. It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.

Always take advantages, but calculate, don't take risk. Gambling is a great way to lose your assets (Trust me on that one). (Real world example: A pianist is the best in his town, however rather than use his assets to tour and take his chances with the world he first uses his skills to gain as many assets as he can in his hometown. He then uses these assets to tour the world, but gains enough that he has already made profit).

9. If equally matched, we can offer battle; if slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy; if quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him.

Don't make commitments you are unsure that you can keep. Do not take risk unless you believe your assets outmatch those you compete with. (Real world example: Rather than take every deal you hear, wait and see what the deal holds).

10. Hence, though an obstinate fight may be made by a small force, in the end it must be captured by the larger force.

Eventually, those who are weaker will fail, it is a law of nature. (Real world example: Survival of the fittest).

11. Now the general is the bulwark of the state; if the bulwark is complete at all points; the State will be strong; if the bulwark is defective, the State will be weak.

Though you have a say in your success, so do the people you associate yourself with. (Real world example: If you associate yourself with thieves and con-men, then you will likely be assumed to be a con-man and a thief. However, if you associate yourself with the smart and bright, you will be viewed as smart and bright).

12. There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune upon his army:- 

13. (1) By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called hobbling the army.

14. (2) 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 soldier's minds.

15. (3) 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 three ways to fail are (1) By overworking yourself with tasks you cannot complete. (2) By not taking notice of the conditions of your circumstance and judging accordingly. (3) Lastly, by making choices without thinking them through, just using the first choice that comes to mind. Together these three things cause you to lose trust amongst those you've chosen to surround yourself with.

16. But when the army is restless and distrustful, trouble is sure to come from the other feudal princes. This is simply bringing anarchy into the army, and flinging victory away.

When those who you've chosen to surround yourself do not trust you, trouble is sure to follow. This tears down your reputation, and chances of benefiting from your relationship. (Real world example: Downvoting on Steemit. If you upload a plagiarized article you are downvoted, and lose reputation).

17. Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: (1) He will win who knows to fight and when not to fight. (2) He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. (3) He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. (4) He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. (5) He will win who has the military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign. Victory lies in the knowledge of these five points.

Here are the key components to success: Knowing what commitments should be made, and what commitments should not be made. Knowing how to handle situations of success and failure. Having the trust and support those you surround yourself with. Being prepared, and understanding the circumstances and fortune that leads to success. Lastly, maintaining the ability to work independently, and demonstrating dominance over your competition when necessary.  

18. Hence the saying:If you know the enemy and you 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.

If you know your competition's capabilities as you know your own, you will almost never be outdone. If you know your competition's capabilities but not your own, you will lose as often as you win. If you know neither your capabilities, nor your competition's, you will never succeed.                                                                                                      

Part 1: Laying Plans

Part 2: Waging War

Thank you for reading this! I am enjoying writing this series more and more. It is incredible how much I, a 21st century kid, can learn about my life from a 3,000 year old Chinese dude. Please leave your feedback!

 Also remember to check for: My weekly 7 post, and my weekly piano performance of Christmas pieces.