The Art of War
From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source
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The Art of War is an ancient text written about 2000 years ago by Sun Tzu to help Chinese generals and other military tacticians in warfare. The Art of War was intended only for the military elite of his time period. However, this treatise would later be absorbed by others of influence -- from the fearless samurai in feudal Japan to the shrewd business leaders of the 21st century. It is arguably still the most important work on the subject of strategy today.
History
The Art of War was probbably written between the Warring States Period in the Han Dynasty (515 BC to 512 BC). Other sources say that the book was finished between the Spring and Autumn period of China (722-481 BC). However, this facts only reccomend that Sun Tzu is not the sole author of the said treatise. He may have finished the text during his lifetime but was further edited and enhanced by his decendant Sun Bin who is also a ganeral during the Warring States Period.
Excerpts from the Text
- "Warfare is a great matter to a nation;
- it is the ground of death and of life;
- it is the way of survival and of destruction, and must be examined.
- Therefore, go through it by means of five factors;
- compare them by means of calculation, and determine their statuses:
- One, Way, two, Heaven, three, Ground, four, General, five, Law.
- The Way is what causes the people to have the same thinking as their superiors;
- they may be given death, or they may be given life, but there is no fear of danger and betrayal.
- Heaven is dark and light, cold and hot, and the seasonal constraints.
- Ground is high and low, far and near, obstructed and easy, wide and narrow, and dangerous and safe.
- General is wisdom, credibility, benevolence, courage, and discipline.
- Law is organization, the chain of command, logistics, and the control of expenses.
- All these five no general has not heard;
- one who knows them is victorious, one who does not know them is not victorious.
- Therefore, compare them by means of calculation, and determine their statuses.
- Ask:
- Which ruler has the Way,
- which general has the ability,
- which has gained Heaven and Ground,
- which carried out Law and commands,
- which army is strong,
- which officers and soldiers are trained,
- which reward and punish clearly,
- by means of these, I know victory and defeat!
- A general who listens to my calculations, and uses them, will surely be victorious, keep him;
- a general who does not listen to my calculations, and does not use them, will surely be defeated, remove him.
- Calculate advantages by means of what was heard, then create force in order to assist outside missions.
- Force is the control of the balance of power, in accordance with advantages. ?
- Warfare is the Way of deception."
