The Art of War by: Sun Tzu Review Part 4: Tactical Dispostions
Hello again, I am overjoyed that so many people seem to enjoy this series. Each part takes a lot of time and effort to make, so it is really nice to have feedback. Especially, thank you to @baedric for your comments and encouragement. Again, I have two study halls and have decided to type the next part of my series (part 4/13 to be exact). Here is Tactical Dispositions! (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]
Tactical Dispositions
1. Sun Tzu said: The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
What separates the skilled and unskilled is that the skilled take precautions against failure, then seek the means to accomplish their goals. (Real world example: My piano teacher says "When a mistake becomes a habit rather than think about the note you don't want to play, think about the note you mean to play. If all you think about is the wrong note you will play that note because you are thinking about it.")
2. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
You control what you are capable of doing, but your competitor is who helps you to prove that you are capable of it. (Real world example: You might be really smart and from a suburban college. To be the best in your class in a suburban college is to be the lowest in another class at a college elite in your field. The reason why you're the best is that your classmates happen to be worse than you).
3. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.
With this in mind know that you may provide for yourself using your skills, but you are not the best in your field because of them. (Real world example: There is always someone better, known or unknown, seen or unseen).
4. Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.
You may know how to achieve what you want without having the means to achieve it. (Real world example: You play a game of hockey, you know what you need to do to win, but you are not athletic enough to actually do it).
5. Security against defeat implies defensive tactics; ability to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive.
To avoid failure, take precaution. Beating your competitor involves risking this precaution to win. (Real world example: Rather than keep your money in a bank safe, invest it in stocks, steem, and bitcoins. Do not invest all of your money, and do not invest it in one main item. Try to diversify what you invest in so if one fails the rest may succeed and make up for it. This lessens your chances of deficit).
6. Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength.
When you hesitate to compete with your competitor and take too many precautions you show that you fear them, and believe they have a chance of beating you. When you try to compete without taking too many risks or precautions you show signs of dominance, and wit. (Real world example: Rather than stand in the back in a dodge-ball game, push forward. But do not get cocky and avoid necessary precautions, and do not forget to watch for runaway balls).
7. The general who is skilled in defense hides in the most secret recesses of the earth; he who is skilled in attack flashes forth from the top most heights of heaven. Thus on the one hand we have ability to protect ourselves; on the other; a victory that is complete.
It is important to maintain balance between out doing your competitor, and taking precautions against them. Do not throw everything you have into one attempt, but also do not keep every idea locked away for fear of failures. As long as you constantly check that even though you are competing, you are maintaining your assets and producing a profit, you will succeed. (Real world example: Post Steemit articles, do not fear rejection, try try again. However post quality content that you think enjoyable. DON'T SPAM).
8. To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.
9. Neither is it the acme of excellence if you fight and conquer and the whole Empire says, "Well done!"
Diversify your views, if you only tell your ideas to people you know have the same, nothing will be accomplished. Tell your ideas to those you know will provide a good debate, and prove them wrong. (Real world example: A member of one political party watches the debate of the one he disagrees with. He listens to their policies then provides counter examples that can be supported to prove them wrong. If he can't provide supportable examples, maybe he will rethink his views).
10. To lift an autumn hair is no sign of great strength; to see the sun and the moon is no sign of sharp sight; to hear the noise of thunder is no sign of a quick ear.
Being able to do something that everyone else is capable of is not a measure of skill. (Real world example: Copying and pasting someone else's exact article into your own Steemit article shows no sign of skill as all that was done can be done by anyone else).
11. What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.
Being able to do something is not enough, you must be good at your talents and strive to be the best in your field, even if "The Best" is not achievable, be the best you can possibly be. (Real world example: You want to be a composer, and you understand that you need to know more about classical music, so you switch to taking piano from one of the most elite teachers in your state to try to become the best that you can possibly be).
12. Hence his victories bring him neither reputation for wisdom nor credit for courage.
Once you've lived up to your potential, do not expect to gain popularity, nor praise. You have proven that you are capable, therefore you are already known for it, and have already been praised. (Real world example: Everyone knows that Jimmy Hendrix was arguably the best guitar player to ever live, yet we don't speak of him often, or marvel at his abilities, as we know he has them).
13. He wins his battles by making no mistakes . Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.
Precision is key to gaining assets. Precision brings absolute insurance that you will out do your competitor. (Real world example: A business makes sure that every single employee is capable of doing their job so that every job is done correctly, keeping the business in perfect working condition).
14. Hence the skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible, and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy.
Therefore, you should assert yourself where you believe you will out do your competition. Take account of each opportunity, if you are truly skillful you will know where to try, and where not to. (Real world example: In wrestling sometimes the wrestler will fake shots to try to trick their opponent into sprawling, or opening up. If the wrestler sees that his opponent has been tricked, he will take a real shot, and try to pin him).
15. Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterward looks for victory.
Do not engage in competition until there is an absolute certainty of success, for if you compete before strategizing, your competitor has the upper hand, and will win. (Real world example: If instead of practicing a Football team just plays games. They will not know how to function as a team, and will be easily beaten).
16. The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success.
A true leader will live by common sense, and carefully think about the ideas of those around him, to gain assets. (Real world example: An investor decides carefully which stocks (Or crypto currencies) he will invest in, for one slip up and he loses assets).
17. In respect of military method, we have, firstly, Measurement; secondly, Estimation of quantity; thirdly, Calculations; fourthly, Balancing of chances; fifthly, victory.
18. Measurement owes its existence to Earth; Estimation of quantity to measurement; Calculation to Estimation of quantity, Balancing of chances to Calculation, and Victory to Balancing of chances.
The things to think of when deciding are the chances something has of failing or succeeding, how much you need this to succeed, figuring out how much profit will be gained, making sure the chances of success are similar to those of similar ideas, and success.
19. A victorious army opposed to a routed one, is a pound's weight placed on the scale against a single grain.
Being successful is very much different to being a failure. (Real world example: Think of how you view a famous celebrity musician, now think of how you viewed the last musician busking on the street that you walked past and ignored).
20. The onrush of a conquering force is like the bursting of pent-up waters into a chasm a thousand fathoms deep. So much for tactical dispositions.
If you use as many resources as necessary to win, it will be a glorious victory.
Thanks for reading this! I will not be posting the Art Of War reviews tomorrow or Friday as I have piano and marching band both days. I will instead be posting two short articles. As always please leave feedback!
Also remember to check for: My weekly 7 post, and my weekly piano performance of Christmas pieces.