Art of War by Sun Tsu: a sobering read.
June 21st 2007 02:03
Art of War by Sun Tsu: a sobering read.
Few books are considered to be as influential to armies as the Sun Tsu ‘Art of War’. It is still on the book lists of many officer training academies around the world and is often quoted despite being over 2000 years old. In fact even those who have no intention of waging war can often turn to this book for guidance in business, sport and personal relationships. Thus the Art of War can sometimes be translated into the Art of Life where we place ourselves in a hostile and sometime adversary mindset. It is after all a book of strategy rather than deep philosophy. War, whether it is internal, metaphorical or actual is given a set of instructions that promise the reader a clear path to victory. Regardless of this applications for the ordinary folk trying to overcome a smoking habit the book should not be separated from it original intent which was to instruct a close circle of people the secrets of winning war. War that Sun Tsu is referring to is real and even if you do not apply all the attitudes to national conflicts it still offers you a distrustful and paranoid view where every one is little more than puppets or enemies. Good luck with trying to live with that attitude.
I say the book is sobering because the very same pitfall and warnings sounded in the ancient texts seems just as real today.
Sun Tsu writes: “There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.” Ref Ch.2 pass.6
Perhaps there is something about a certain war today that has that echo in it.
Perhaps his lessons are very much real because they seem to be based upon the reality that soldiers are not superman or mythical Spartans. He pays heed to rest, speed of travel and rewards or moral of his army. Punishments are tempered with fairness to create loyalties and the will to fight. False pride is frowned upon and so too is foolish courage.
“A clever General, therefore, avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods.” Ref Ch.7 pass.29
And later he reiterates the pitfalls of trying to trample an enemy.
“When surrounding an enemy, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.” Ref Ch.7 pass.36
Perhaps some of the most telling passages deal with the causes of war and why they continue today. He shows contempt form the emotional bases of going into battle.
“Anger may in time turn to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content” Ref Ch8 pass.20
Then he warns in the following passage.
“But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never comes again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.” Ch.8 pass.21
‘Art of War’ shows that we as human have hardly changed in thousands of years. We still fall for the same mistakes and ignore the same sorts of advice. Wars that are portrayed as necessary and a noble cause are broken down into little more than moving chess pieces by generals who are well aware that they just another piece. Yet once roused the ‘Art of War’ is a cold sterile world that count it enemy in order to attack when it is weak and flee when it is strong. Words and propaganda are held with contempt in comparison to the reality of actually taking action that secure victory. Warning of the drain on the economy of nation and its people are still being ignored today and yet it is a military man who makes this warning.
For those looking for a way to live this book offers nothing except deceptions and mind games as the answer. Yet for those who are fascinated by something that echoes warnings even today I recommend reading this book.
Fools rush into war and everyone is dragged along with them.
I say the book is sobering because the very same pitfall and warnings sounded in the ancient texts seems just as real today.
Perhaps there is something about a certain war today that has that echo in it.
Perhaps his lessons are very much real because they seem to be based upon the reality that soldiers are not superman or mythical Spartans. He pays heed to rest, speed of travel and rewards or moral of his army. Punishments are tempered with fairness to create loyalties and the will to fight. False pride is frowned upon and so too is foolish courage.
“A clever General, therefore, avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods.” Ref Ch.7 pass.29
And later he reiterates the pitfalls of trying to trample an enemy.
“When surrounding an enemy, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.” Ref Ch.7 pass.36
Perhaps some of the most telling passages deal with the causes of war and why they continue today. He shows contempt form the emotional bases of going into battle.
“Anger may in time turn to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content” Ref Ch8 pass.20
Then he warns in the following passage.
“But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never comes again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.” Ch.8 pass.21
‘Art of War’ shows that we as human have hardly changed in thousands of years. We still fall for the same mistakes and ignore the same sorts of advice. Wars that are portrayed as necessary and a noble cause are broken down into little more than moving chess pieces by generals who are well aware that they just another piece. Yet once roused the ‘Art of War’ is a cold sterile world that count it enemy in order to attack when it is weak and flee when it is strong. Words and propaganda are held with contempt in comparison to the reality of actually taking action that secure victory. Warning of the drain on the economy of nation and its people are still being ignored today and yet it is a military man who makes this warning.
For those looking for a way to live this book offers nothing except deceptions and mind games as the answer. Yet for those who are fascinated by something that echoes warnings even today I recommend reading this book.
| 49 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The art of war is essential reading in understanding the psychology of war.
Some passages are adaptable to regular life and the drive to accomplish goals, there is also a deeper observation on human nature and how we deal with conflict and disappointment.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Thanks for your comments.
I agree that there is plenty of scope to draw things out of this book other than just war. I can see people using it as some kind of self help or stategy to sort out dufficult problems without resorting to anger. In that regard I do see value in the book. But I still see it as a strategy for hard times more than a way of life.
The psychology of war is certainly explored without any puffery or false bravery. I saw as this is no instruction for 300 Spartans to die in heroic battle but rather a better determination to win by using your brains.
Definitely a book worth reading.
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
It is a good read; I concur with you, though, in the contention that the book fosters paranoia and a rather detached view of humanity.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Thanks for your comments
Art of War reminds me of the many Personal Developement courses that I forced to go on when I was in corporate world. Lessons in how to be a good soldier (I mean worker) are used as examples on how to live your personal life. I still get a chuckle out of some of them.