The Art of War by: Sun Tzu Review Part 7b: Maneuvering
Hello everyone, I finally have some more free time to write this review. Sorry that I did not upload a Christmas piece on Sunday, the series will hopefully resume next week. Tis the season to be busy. Now, on to the review. (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
Maneuvering
19. Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunder bolt.
Keep your thoughts and secrets hidden until the last minute. Shock your opponent off guard by revealing them. (Real world example: Supercomputing did not reveal he was working on mining with GPU until after he was already dominating the mining queue).
20. When you plunder a countryside, let the spoil be divided amongst your men; when you capture new territory, cut it up into allotments for the benefit of the soldiery.
Pay those who have helped you gain profit a sum that is proportional to the amount of help they provided. (Real world example: A secretary earns less than a CEO, but most likely more than a janitor).
21. Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.
Think things through before doing them. (Real world example: You do not just decide to buy the first house a realtor shows you when searching for a home, but rather you weigh the house's flaws verses its benefits. Is it in a good school district? Does it have a yard with enough space?)
22. He will conquer who has learned the artifice of deviation. Such is the art of maneuvering.
You will succeed if you know how to change your plan quickly, but in an organized way when circumstances change. (Real world example: You might want to be a musician, but to pay the bills you need to teach history and work on music on the side until you can support yourself with the career you are passionate about. Here is an article my dad wrote about that).
23. The Book of Army Management says: On the field of battle, the spoken word does not carry far enough: hence the institution of gongs and drums. Nor can ordinary objects be seen clearly enough: hence the institution of banners and flags.
24. Gongs and drums, banners and flags, are means whereby the ears and eyes of the host may be focused on one particular point.
Use short cuts and tricks to achieve your goals quickly with as little error as possible. (Real world example: A Spanish business owner will most likely only hire employees that speak Spanish to ensure that his business succeeds).
25. The host thus forming a single united body, is it impossible either for the brave to advance alone, or for the cowardly to retreat alone. This is the art of handling large masses of men.
No matter the task, every job is needed for any organization to survive, and communication amongst the different members of each individual rank. (Real world example: The United States federal government cannot function properly unless all three branches are working correctly [president can't make laws, congress can't enforce them]).
26. In night-fighting, then make much use of signal-fires and drums, and in fighting by day, of flags and banners, as a means of influencing the ears and eyes of your army.
Use communication based on circumstance. (Real world example: A government employee with high clearance should not send classified data on an un-secure email server, or personal emails on a government server).
27. A whole army may be robbed of its spirit; a commander-in-chief may be robbed of his presence of mind.
Don't let you or those around you become detached and not interested in the end goal. Always think in terms of achieving your goal. (Real world example: When writing an Art of War review it is hard to not get distracted and watch Netflix instead, I keep my mind set on finishing the article).
28. Now a soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is bent only on returning to camp.
In the beginning it is easiest to want something, and by the end it is hardest. (Real world example: It's easy to say you want to become a singer, but those who succeed are those who learn everything to know about intellectual property, proper technique, instruments they don't care to play, and live where they don't care to live. If they remain persistent they will surely taste some form of success).
29. A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods.
Seek opportunity when those around you are too lazy to. Rather than compete with them, be more persistent than them, and weather the storm. (Real world example: Billy Joel slept on the floor of a laundromat for the first seven years of his career, and even after making his first few albums and experiencing little success, he continued to write and record until he eventually was rewarded. He succeeded because he stayed on task despite the consequences).
30. Disciplined and calm, to await the appearance of disorder and hubub amongst the enemy:-this is the art of retaining self-possession.
Don't appear focused, make your opponent think they are sure to win. (Real world example: A salesperson tries to make the costumer believe they are coming out on top. He makes them think they are gaining by buying his profit while his is losing money, when really he is the one gaining).
31. To be near the goal while the enemy is still far from it, to wait at ease while the enemy is toiling and struggling, to be well-fed while the enemy is famished:-this is the art of husbanding one's strength.
Try to achieve your goals before your enemy so they are more likely to give up in the struggle. (Real world example: A sports team will try to gain a lead above another team to make them lose confidence in their ability to win, and become less focused).
32. To refrain from intercepting an enemy whose banners are in perfect order, to refrain from attacking an army drawn up in calm and confident array:- this is the art of studying circumstances.
Do not attempt to beat an opponent who is well rounded and understands the situation. Adapt based on circumstance. (Real world example: A high school football team is not going to challenge an NFL football team to a game, for they know they will lose).
33. It is a military axiom not to advance uphill against the enemy, nor to oppose him when he comes down hill.
Do not challenge your opponent to battles that cannot be won. (Real world example: A sales person always insists that the product he is trying to sell is the best one on the market, to keep the costumer interested).
34. Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight; do not attack soldiers whose temper is keen.
Do not gloat about victory, or taunt your opponent. (Real world example: When a student gets a good grade it is good to be humble about it rather than brag to those who didn't).
35. Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home.
Don't fall for tricks. (Real world example: When someone says gullible is written on the front board, don't look up you will be teased because people who say that most likely don't care to listen to the lesson that number 34 teaches. I say this from experience).
36. When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.
Do not try to win too quickly, be respectful to your opponent. (Real world example: A chess player does not try to win too quickly, but takes opportunity when it arises).
37. Such is the art of warfare.
No commentary needed.
Part 6a: Weak Points and Strong
Part 6b: Weak Points and Strong
Thanks for reading this! I don't know if I will have time to post tomorrow or Thursday, I have two concerts. Hopefully I will be able to. As always, please leave feedback, and check out my weekly posts.
Also remember to check for: My weekly 7 post, and my weekly piano performance of Christmas pieces.
The Art of War is one of my favourite books on Strategy. I think there is wisdom in there for every aspect of life.
Absolutely one of my favorite literary works, from a practical genius at tactics, leadership, and strategy.
This post has been ranked within the top 80 most undervalued posts in the first half of Dec 14. We estimate that this post is undervalued by $5.21 as compared to a scenario in which every voter had an equal say.
See the full rankings and details in The Daily Tribune: Dec 14 - Part I. You can also read about some of our methodology, data analysis and technical details in our initial post.
If you are the author and would prefer not to receive these comments, simply reply "Stop" to this comment.
Stop
We apologize for any inconvenience. You will no longer receive these comments on your posts.