Sun Tzu in Other Words CHAPTER 1
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CHAPTER 1. LAYING PLANS
The initial reading of this book can be a bit daunting due to the language used. Here are the words of others to help with the translation. So let us put his words with words of men and women that are respected from different fields and times. Comparing thoughts. even if they differ can be very helpful in assisting the understanding of other similar statements.
1.1 Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to the State.
Never before has man had such capacity to control his own environment,...We have the power to make this the best generation of mankind in the history or the world - or make it the last. John F. Kennedy
All war is a symptom of man's failure as a thinking animal. John Steinbeck
No one won the last war and no one will win the next war. Eleanor Roosevelt
War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its
sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend. J.R.R. Tolkien
If you win, you need not have to explain...If you lose, you should not be there to explain! Adolf Hitler
Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Isaac Asimov
2. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.
We make war that we may live in peace. Aristotle
What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or in the holy name of liberty or democracy? Mahatma Gandhi
Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime. Ernest Hemingway
3. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one's deliberations, when seeking
to determine the conditions obtaining in the field.
4. These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.
5,6. The MORAL LAW causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of
their lives, undismayed by any danger.
Justice... is a kind of compact not to harm or be harmed. Epicurus
There is no such thing as justice in the abstract; it is merely a compact between men. Epicurus
Peace is more than the absence of war. Peace is accord. Harmony. Laini Taylor
No single person can liberate a country. You can only liberate a country if you act as a collective. Nelson Mandela
7. HEAVEN signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.
God is day and night, winter and summer, war and peace, surfeit and hunger. Heraclitus
Nature is wont to hide herself. Heraclitus
8. EARTH comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.
Death does not concern us, because as long as we exist, death is not here. And when it does come, we no longer exist. Epicurus
It is possible to provide security against other ills, but as far as death is concerned, we men live in a city without walls. Epicurus
9. The COMMANDER stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness.
A man's character is his fate. Heraclitus
Seeing much, suffering much, and studying much, are the three pillars of learning. Benjamin Disraeli
All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. Aristotle
Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character. Heraclitus
Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others. Aristotle.
Quitting is leading too. Nelson Mandela
The greatest virtues are those which are most useful to other persons. Aristotle
The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavour to be what you desire to appear. Socrates
Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort
is needed to develop good character. Heraclitus
I do not see why man should not be as cruel as nature. Adolf Hitler
A man does what he must — in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers, and pressures — and that is the basis of all human morality. John F. Kennedy, Profiles in Courage
10. By METHOD AND DISCIPLINE are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.
The law is reason, free from passion. Aristotle
Moral habits, induced by public practices, are far quicker in making their way into men's private lives, than the failings and faults of individuals are in infecting the city at large. Plutarch
11. These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.
12. Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a
comparison, in this wise:
13. (1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law? (2) Which of the two generals has most ability? (3) With
whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth? (4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? (5) Which army is stronger? (6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained? (7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?
14. By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.
15. The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat: let such a one be dismissed!
Wise kings generally have wise counsellors; and he must be a wise man himself who is capable of distinguishing one. Diogenes
16. While heeding the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules.
It is not once nor twice but times without number that the same ideas make their appearance in the world. Aristotle
Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have laboured hard for. Socrates
Not all readers become leaders, but all leaders must be readers. Harry S. Truman
People who ask our advice almost never take it. Yet we should never refuse to give it, upon request, for it often helps us to
see our own way more clearly. Brendan Francis
Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties. Aesop
Ask advice only of your equals. Hannah Whitall Smith
It is very difficult to live among people you love and hold back from offering them advice. Anne Tyler
No-one wants advice only corroboration. John Steinbeck
The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself. Oscar Wilde
I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and
then advise them to do it. Harry S Truman
17. According as circumstances are favourable, one should modify one's plans.
18. All warfare is based on deception.
We tell lies, yet it is easy to show that lying is immoral. Epictetus
Just because something isn't a lie does not mean that it isn't deceptive. A liar knows that he is a liar, but
one who speaks mere portions of truth in order to deceive is a craftsman of destruction. Criss Jami
Things are not always what they may seem; the first appearance deceives many; the intelligence of a few perceives what has
been carefully hidden. Phaedrus
19. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
It is a profitable thing, if one is wise, to seem foolish. Aeschylus
20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
The riskiest thing you can do is get greedy. Lance Armstrong
21. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.
Depend not on fortune, but on conduct. Publilius Syrus
22. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
23. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.
24. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
The best way to conquer your enemies is to surprise them always. Abel Adamu Buba
25. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.
26. Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a
battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. Yogi Berra
The initial reading of this book can be a bit daunting due to the language used. Here are the words of others to help with the translation. So let us put his words with words of men and women that are respected from different fields and times. Comparing thoughts. even if they differ can be very helpful in assisting the understanding of other similar statements.
1.1 Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to the State.
Never before has man had such capacity to control his own environment,...We have the power to make this the best generation of mankind in the history or the world - or make it the last. John F. Kennedy
All war is a symptom of man's failure as a thinking animal. John Steinbeck
No one won the last war and no one will win the next war. Eleanor Roosevelt
War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its
sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend. J.R.R. Tolkien
If you win, you need not have to explain...If you lose, you should not be there to explain! Adolf Hitler
Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Isaac Asimov
2. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.
We make war that we may live in peace. Aristotle
What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or in the holy name of liberty or democracy? Mahatma Gandhi
Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime. Ernest Hemingway
3. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one's deliberations, when seeking
to determine the conditions obtaining in the field.
4. These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.
5,6. The MORAL LAW causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of
their lives, undismayed by any danger.
Justice... is a kind of compact not to harm or be harmed. Epicurus
There is no such thing as justice in the abstract; it is merely a compact between men. Epicurus
Peace is more than the absence of war. Peace is accord. Harmony. Laini Taylor
No single person can liberate a country. You can only liberate a country if you act as a collective. Nelson Mandela
7. HEAVEN signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.
God is day and night, winter and summer, war and peace, surfeit and hunger. Heraclitus
Nature is wont to hide herself. Heraclitus
8. EARTH comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.
Death does not concern us, because as long as we exist, death is not here. And when it does come, we no longer exist. Epicurus
It is possible to provide security against other ills, but as far as death is concerned, we men live in a city without walls. Epicurus
9. The COMMANDER stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness.
A man's character is his fate. Heraclitus
Seeing much, suffering much, and studying much, are the three pillars of learning. Benjamin Disraeli
All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. Aristotle
Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character. Heraclitus
Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others. Aristotle.
Quitting is leading too. Nelson Mandela
The greatest virtues are those which are most useful to other persons. Aristotle
The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavour to be what you desire to appear. Socrates
Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort
is needed to develop good character. Heraclitus
I do not see why man should not be as cruel as nature. Adolf Hitler
A man does what he must — in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers, and pressures — and that is the basis of all human morality. John F. Kennedy, Profiles in Courage
10. By METHOD AND DISCIPLINE are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.
The law is reason, free from passion. Aristotle
Moral habits, induced by public practices, are far quicker in making their way into men's private lives, than the failings and faults of individuals are in infecting the city at large. Plutarch
11. These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.
12. Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a
comparison, in this wise:
13. (1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law? (2) Which of the two generals has most ability? (3) With
whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth? (4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? (5) Which army is stronger? (6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained? (7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?
14. By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.
15. The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat: let such a one be dismissed!
Wise kings generally have wise counsellors; and he must be a wise man himself who is capable of distinguishing one. Diogenes
16. While heeding the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules.
It is not once nor twice but times without number that the same ideas make their appearance in the world. Aristotle
Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have laboured hard for. Socrates
Not all readers become leaders, but all leaders must be readers. Harry S. Truman
People who ask our advice almost never take it. Yet we should never refuse to give it, upon request, for it often helps us to
see our own way more clearly. Brendan Francis
Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties. Aesop
Ask advice only of your equals. Hannah Whitall Smith
It is very difficult to live among people you love and hold back from offering them advice. Anne Tyler
No-one wants advice only corroboration. John Steinbeck
The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself. Oscar Wilde
I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and
then advise them to do it. Harry S Truman
17. According as circumstances are favourable, one should modify one's plans.
18. All warfare is based on deception.
We tell lies, yet it is easy to show that lying is immoral. Epictetus
Just because something isn't a lie does not mean that it isn't deceptive. A liar knows that he is a liar, but
one who speaks mere portions of truth in order to deceive is a craftsman of destruction. Criss Jami
Things are not always what they may seem; the first appearance deceives many; the intelligence of a few perceives what has
been carefully hidden. Phaedrus
19. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
It is a profitable thing, if one is wise, to seem foolish. Aeschylus
20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
The riskiest thing you can do is get greedy. Lance Armstrong
21. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.
Depend not on fortune, but on conduct. Publilius Syrus
22. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
23. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.
24. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
The best way to conquer your enemies is to surprise them always. Abel Adamu Buba
25. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.
26. Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a
battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is. Yogi Berra