AESOPS' FABLES
The Mice and the Weasels
The Weasels and the Mice waged a perpetual war with each other, in which much blood was shed. The Weasels were always the victors.
The Mice thought that the cause of their frequent defeats was that they had no leaders set apart from the general army to command them, and that they were exposed to dangers from lack of discipline.
They therefore chose as leaders Mice that were most renowned for their family descent, strength, and counsel, as well as those most noted for their courage in the fight, so that they might be better marshalled in battle array and formed into troops, regiments, and battalions.
When all this was done, and the army disciplined, and the herald Mouse had duly proclaimed war by challenging the Weasels, the newly chosen generals bound their heads with straws, that they might be more conspicuous to all their troops.
Scarcely had the battle begun, when a great rout overwhelmed the Mice, who scampered off as fast as they could to their holes. The generals, not being able to get in on account of the ornaments on their heads, were all captured and eaten by the Weasels.
The Mice thought that the cause of their frequent defeats was that they had no leaders set apart from the general army to command them, and that they were exposed to dangers from lack of discipline.
They therefore chose as leaders Mice that were most renowned for their family descent, strength, and counsel, as well as those most noted for their courage in the fight, so that they might be better marshalled in battle array and formed into troops, regiments, and battalions.
When all this was done, and the army disciplined, and the herald Mouse had duly proclaimed war by challenging the Weasels, the newly chosen generals bound their heads with straws, that they might be more conspicuous to all their troops.
Scarcely had the battle begun, when a great rout overwhelmed the Mice, who scampered off as fast as they could to their holes. The generals, not being able to get in on account of the ornaments on their heads, were all captured and eaten by the Weasels.
Art of War MAXIMS
Art of War. Chapter I. Laying plans
1.1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to the State.
1.2. 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.
1.3. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors,
1.4. These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.
1.5, 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.
1.7. HEAVEN signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.
1.8. EARTH comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.
1.9. The COMMANDER stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness.
1.10. By METHOD AND DISCIPLINE are to be understood the marshalling 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.
1.11. These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.
1.1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to the State.
1.2. 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.
1.3. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors,
1.4. These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.
1.5, 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.
1.7. HEAVEN signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.
1.8. EARTH comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.
1.9. The COMMANDER stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness.
1.10. By METHOD AND DISCIPLINE are to be understood the marshalling 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.
1.11. These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.
INSIGHT
The Mice faced an insurmountable challenge. They grasped only fragments of Sun Tzu's wisdom from his first chapter. They recognized the gravity of life and death, but their understanding of conflict fell short. Their limited knowledge became a dangerous liability, leading to their own downfall.
The art of warfare extends far beyond mere combat. It encompasses a myriad of factors such as situational analysis, strategic use of terrain, direct and indirect approaches, methods to break enemy resistance, and more. All these aspects can be explored and learned from The Art of War. However, a word of caution: it is not enough to simply know these principles; one must truly comprehend them. The Art of War can be read within a day, but the true understanding may take a lifetime. Unfortunately, in the time when the book was written, many did not live long enough to reap the benefits of such knowledge. As for the Mice, each lesson came at a devastatingly high cost.
Had the Mice studied and understood the teachings of The Art of War, they could have achieved so much more. Their existing knowledge made them dangerous, not to the Weasels, but to themselves. There were crucial insights they lacked, which could have paved the path to success.
The Mice remained oblivious to the pinnacle of excellence outlined by Sun Tzu: breaking the enemy's resistance without engaging in direct conflict. Failing that, the next best option is to thwart the enemy's plans, followed by preventing the enemy forces from uniting. Subsequent strategies involve engaging the enemy on the field and, finally, the least favourable approach is to lay siege upon resuppliable fortified cities. The Mice were deprived of this counsel and bore the consequences of their actions.
The fable clearly presents a biased perspective against the Mice, emphasizing the high cost of engaging in war and conducting it poorly. Nevertheless, we can still extract other valuable lessons from this tale.
The Mice did comprehend the significance of Method and Discipline in achieving victory. They showcased how the Moral Law can uplift an army. However, their shortcomings in wisdom and strategic decision-making by their commanders marred their efforts against the Weasels.
The fables of Aesop and the maxims of Sun Tzu may appear deceptively simple. Yet, this simplicity can hinder readers from fully grasping the profound messages and wisdom contained within each maxim and fable. Investing time to unravel the deeper meaning and wisdom within each fable or maxim is time well spent.
The Mice faced an insurmountable challenge. They grasped only fragments of Sun Tzu's wisdom from his first chapter. They recognized the gravity of life and death, but their understanding of conflict fell short. Their limited knowledge became a dangerous liability, leading to their own downfall.
The art of warfare extends far beyond mere combat. It encompasses a myriad of factors such as situational analysis, strategic use of terrain, direct and indirect approaches, methods to break enemy resistance, and more. All these aspects can be explored and learned from The Art of War. However, a word of caution: it is not enough to simply know these principles; one must truly comprehend them. The Art of War can be read within a day, but the true understanding may take a lifetime. Unfortunately, in the time when the book was written, many did not live long enough to reap the benefits of such knowledge. As for the Mice, each lesson came at a devastatingly high cost.
Had the Mice studied and understood the teachings of The Art of War, they could have achieved so much more. Their existing knowledge made them dangerous, not to the Weasels, but to themselves. There were crucial insights they lacked, which could have paved the path to success.
The Mice remained oblivious to the pinnacle of excellence outlined by Sun Tzu: breaking the enemy's resistance without engaging in direct conflict. Failing that, the next best option is to thwart the enemy's plans, followed by preventing the enemy forces from uniting. Subsequent strategies involve engaging the enemy on the field and, finally, the least favourable approach is to lay siege upon resuppliable fortified cities. The Mice were deprived of this counsel and bore the consequences of their actions.
The fable clearly presents a biased perspective against the Mice, emphasizing the high cost of engaging in war and conducting it poorly. Nevertheless, we can still extract other valuable lessons from this tale.
The Mice did comprehend the significance of Method and Discipline in achieving victory. They showcased how the Moral Law can uplift an army. However, their shortcomings in wisdom and strategic decision-making by their commanders marred their efforts against the Weasels.
The fables of Aesop and the maxims of Sun Tzu may appear deceptively simple. Yet, this simplicity can hinder readers from fully grasping the profound messages and wisdom contained within each maxim and fable. Investing time to unravel the deeper meaning and wisdom within each fable or maxim is time well spent.