The Art of War
In Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War”, Tzu illustrates the importance of all parts of war and essentially turning war into a form of art in which aspects must be fulfilled to become ‘graceful’ at war, so to speak. Although this text which was originally written in Chinese many hundreds of years ago, it still includes the most basic and perhaps the most important aspects of war itself. Within the translation by Lionel Giles, thirteen chapters are established. Each chapter holds a different part of victory and if all combined then “he who knows them will be victorious”.
Although many of the aspects Tzu illustrates are fundamental, they are without question the basis of victory in war. Tzu is very redundant in the fact that war is not all about fighting and in all factuality he states that war is mostly not about fighting but instead about preparation, leadership, moral, supplies, and overall outwitting and outplaying your opponent in battle. These effects will bring victory. Relying solely on battle tactics, although important, will not guarantee victory.
However, a good tactician who has a firm grasp on the other aspects of War, which Sun Tzu illustrates in five simple points: Firstly - “The Moral Law”, which is in effect the loyalty of the people to their leader, so loyal that life or death matters not. Secondly – “Heaven” which is basically the weather and natures affect on the battle, meaning Time, Night or day, weather, season, and temperature. Thirdly – “Earth” which is the terrain, distance, danger, security, and life or death. Fourthly – “The commander” which is different from “The Moral Law” because it illustrates the general well being, wisdom, sincerity, strictness, and courage. And lastly – “Method and Discipline” which entails the divisions of the army, the difference in rank, the importance of supplies, and regulation of military spending.
Each of these 5 points is what Sun Tzu basis his writing off of, if all five...