Sun Tzu’s Art of War

starting point for further discussion of the use of power

As a means of thinking about power– its use and abuse– in our world today, we need to understand
how various cultures have understood related concepts (war, peace, harmony, conflict) at various
times in human history. To that end, Sun Tzu’s Art of War provides a real challenge; though written
centuries ago in a non-Western culture, some ideas and concepts have entered our own culture, often
in very unlikely places.

Initial assignment: We watched the Great Books film on the Art of War at the last honor’s session.
Students were asked to find and read the book the Art of War online:
Internet sites where the full text of Art of War may be found (among many others...):
http://www.sonshi.com/learn.html
http://www.kimsoft.com/polwar.htm
http://www.chinapage.com/sunzi-e.html
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The Honors Assignment

(you knew it was coming...)
I. Read the Art of War, either from one of the many online sources or from a book
(copies are easily available in most public libraries.)

II. Choose one of the quotations from the Popular Art of War Quotes section at the end of this
document or choose another quotation that struck your fancy from your reading.

III. Write a response paper (in the form of an essay) in which you
a) explain what this quotation means in your own words,
b) make a connection to a specific situation in our own contemporary world (this will
likely take a bit of research into current events),
and c) discuss whether, to the best of your understanding, Sun Tzu’s advice presently
informs world leaders today in the specific contemporary situation you address.
Do you believe such advice would be appropriate or inappropriate in our
contemporary situation?

You should have your reading completed and a rough draft of your response paper
for our next honor’s meeting, shortly after spring break.

We will meet in a group with either Ms. Shepard or Mr. Savage guiding the discussion which
students will be responsible for their active participation.
We will use your quotations and papers as the basis for class discussion.

After this session, you will be asked to complete a final draft of your essay.
The due date for this final draft will be announced later.
Art of War Background: FROM http://artofwar.thetao.info/china/printer.htm

Historical Context
The Art of War was written during China's Spring and Autumn period. This period could be likened to the pre-World
War II Europe. Small dukedoms and kingdoms had been consolidated in previous conflicts. Only a few, large
kingdoms remained in a state of tension with one another. There was peace, but everyone knew it wouldn't last. It
didn't. Eventually wars broke out that lasted hundreds of years for what came to be called the Warring States Period.
Nevertheless, for the time being there was peace and prosperity. Around this time, several philosophies were
developed that later greatly influenced China and the world. Confucius was travelling around, not very far from Sun
Tzu. His ideas eventually came to dominated Chinese Rulers' methods as 'Confucianism'. Lao Tzu's philosophy was
transcribed into the Tao Te Ching, eventually becoming Taoism. The Buddha was teaching in India. His teachings
came to China where they were China-ized into Zen and Pure Land Buddhism. Sun Tzu's book developed a life of its
own, finding its way into the hands of Chinese General centuries after his death.
These ideas were much discussed during the Spring and Autumn Period, but really came into their own during the
following Warring States Period. The Rulers knew that the constant killing and war couldn't continue, but lacked the
means to stop it. Eventually Confucianism and Sun Tzu came to the fore. It was a great combination because
Confucius generally refused to speak on the issue of war claiming ignorance of it. Sun Tzu filled the gap. Importantly,
Confucius did not deny the occasional necessity of war, although, like Sun Tzu, he felt it was extremely, undesirable.

About Sun Tzu

The Pronunciation: If you are talking to a western person about Sun Tzu the most common pronunciation is "Sun
Sue" like the Sun in the sky plus a boy named Sue. This is nothing like the correct Chinese pronunciation which is
"Sun Tzzz" Sun rhymes with un in the German word "unter" or the Spanish-English word (Military) "junta" plus Tzzz
like the last sound you make when you say "words".

The Legend: The legend goes that Sun Tzu was born into minor nobility in what is now Shan Dong, a part of China
north of Shanghai that became famous for Confucius and the really tasty Shandong Chicken. Born "Sun Wu", he was
given a good education and like Machiavelli, he wrote a military treatise in order to get noticed and hired by royalty.
Unlike Machiavelli, it worked.
Sun Wu expanded his 13 chapter Art of War into 82 chapters and trained the army. Eventually he broke the peace by
invading the southern state of Yue. Other conflicts ensured but although his troops were once outnumbered 30,000 to
200,000 he was always victorious. Many successes followed and continued after his death. Some considered his death
to be another of his deceptions.
Finally though, the kingdom was defeated several years after his reported death. Just over 100 years later his
descendant, Sun Bing, lead troops to victory again and wrote his own treatise. Sun Wu's name was changed to Sun
Tzu on the Art of War as a sign of his status a master of philosophy. The "Tzu - " is similarly shared with Lao Tzu - ,
and Confucius (whose Chinese name is Kon Tzu - ).

The Truth: The place and time of the creation of the Art of War are quite certain and supported by numerous
historical records and evidences. On the other hand there is no information on Sun Tzu that isn't contradicted by other
sources.
If there was a single person behind the Art of War, we can assume that they would have wanted to remain in safe
obscurity as recommended in the book itself. This may be further evidence of the brilliance of its writer.
There are several instances in Asian history of people that created fake personas complete with homes, families and
documents so that they could carry on their government or military work without showing the enemy their true
identities. This made them invulnerable to attack.
Probably some parts of the legend are true, but at this late stage there is no way to tell which parts.

Sun Tzu's Art of War

The history of the Book:
Around 500 BC the Art of War was written to educate and impress the nobility. It works.
The book is expanded, possibly to 82 chapters.
The original, 13 chapter version becomes a popular classic with Chinese leaders from the Warring States
Period to Chairman Mao. It influences military and government policy. As recently as 1999, the Jiangsu
Province Army Division built an Art of War park!
In 1772, a French Jesuit discovers and translates the text. It it said to have become a favorite of Napoleon.
In 1910, Lionel Giles, of the British Museum translates the book into English. This translation becomes
popular, especially after the copyright runs out.
In 1972 a large quantity of previously lost Art of War text is discovered in a tomb at Yin Chueh Shan, China.
1980's onwards: The Art of War gets mainstream exposure in movies like Wall Street, The Art of War, Las
Vegas and The Sopranos.

Translations: Have you heard the expression: "Long time, no see". I bet it confused you the first time you
heard it. Its meaning is in the words, but you need to think about the situation and implications to work out
its common English meaning, which would be "I haven't seen you in a long time." The reason the expression
is so cryptic is it originates from a literal, character by character translation of the Chinese expression. The
expression, like the Art of War, is written in an old fashioned, poetic style that is hard to translate into
modern English without interpretation. This is the problem for translators.

Main Concepts: More than war, the book is all about victory. How to get what you want without conflict.
How to win if conflict arises. To describe his strategy, in the first chapter, Sun Tzu describes its five
elements:

Chinese Character Direct translation Meaning in the Art of War Examples

- dao path mutual philosophy & purpose of the group patriotism, team sprit, shared values
- tian heaven environmental factors time, seasons, light, darkness
- di earth situation distance from opponent, even or uneven ground
- jiang leader leadership intelligence, credibility, compassion, courage, discipline
- fa law art, as in "Art of War" the ability to perceive and implement the strategic concept

Mutual philosophy: Even enemies will help each other if they are together on a boat that is in trouble.
Similarly shared ideas and identification bind people together into a useful, cohesive team.

Business examples: Team spirit, employees identification with the brand, mission statement (in the rare case
that the staff actually believe in it), mutual trust amongst staff and management.
Environment: The prevailing conditions determine what plans you can undertake. These conditions are too
big and general to be controlled by people. You need to understand them and take them into account.

Situation: This is similar in effect to environment but on a smaller scale that you and your opponent can
control, if you know how.
Leadership: Leadership allows you to make good plans because of your perception, foresight, emotional
intelligence and objectivity. It allows you to implement your plans because of your control of your troops.

Art: This is the skill and ability to implement your strategy. Preparation and coordination are essential here.

Other Recurring Ideas; Sun Tzu explains several times that you should make yourself well defended, but
that victory comes from taking advantage of your opponents' actions.

Straightforward attacks are hard to win.

Having a conflict is bad. Having a long conflict is always a disaster, even if you are victorious in the end.

Popular Art of War Quotes

Here are a few of the more popular quotes from the Art of War:

Goh Chok Tong, the Prime Minister of Singapore, recently quoted Sun Tzu when speaking about terrorism:

"If we are to win the war against terrorism, we must, as Sun Tzu in The Art of War says,
"Understand the enemy." And we must, all of us, Muslims and non-Muslims, Americans,
Europeans, Arabs, and Asians, unite against it. But we must create the conditions that will
make this essential unity possible.

"When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move."

"In conflict, straightforward actions generally lead to engagement, surprising actions generally lead to
victory."

“Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle ... . They conquer by strategy.”

“Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril. When you are ignorant
of the enemy, but know yourself, your chances of winning or losing are equal. If ignorant both of your
enemy and yourself, you are certain in every battle to be in peril.”

“In war, numbers alone confer no advantage.”

“To ... not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of
virtues.”

“What is of the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed: One cannot afford to neglect
opportunity.”

“The general must be first in the toils and fatigues of the army. In the heat of summer he does not spread his
parasol, nor in the cold of winter don thick clothing ... . He waits until the army's wells have been dug and
only then drinks; until the army's food is cooked before he eats; until the army's fortifications have been
completed, to shelter himself.”

“A sovereign of high character and intelligence must be able to know the right man, should place the
responsibility on him, and expect results.”
“If an enemy has alliances, the problem is grave and the enemy's position strong; if he has no alliances, the
problem is minor and the enemy's position weak.”

Site ©2004 Robert Friedler