Summary of “The Art of War”

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”

— Sun Tzu

The Art of War (Chinese: 孫子兵法; literally “Sun Tzu’s Military Method”) is a Chinese military treatise written by Sun Tzu in the 5th century BCE. The work comprises 13 chapters, each addressing a different aspect of warfare. The Art of War is considered one of the greatest works on strategy and has significantly influenced Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, negotiations, and beyond.

"He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight."

Chapter 1: Laying Plans

In this chapter, Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of careful planning and strategy in warfare. He advises leaders to assess their strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of their enemies, to make informed decisions about how to proceed. Sun Tzu also advises leaders to consider the conditions of the battlefield, such as the terrain and the weather, and to adapt their plans accordingly.

“All warfare is based on deception.”

Chapter 2: Waging War

This chapter focuses on how an army can engage in combat, including direct attacks, indirect attacks, and feints. Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of being flexible and adapting to changing circumstances on the battlefield. He also advises against attacking an enemy head-on if it can be avoided and instead suggests using tactics such as flanking or encircling to gain an advantage.

“To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.”

Chapter 3: Attack by Stratagem

In this chapter, Sun Tzu discusses deception and surprise in warfare. He advises leaders to be unpredictable and use unconventional tactics to gain an advantage over their enemies. Sun Tzu also stresses the importance of good intelligence gathering, as this can provide valuable information about an enemy’s plans and vulnerabilities.

“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”

Chapter 4: Tactical Dispositions

This chapter focuses on the positioning and deployment of troops on the battlefield. Sun Tzu advises leaders to place their soldiers in advantageous positions, such as high ground or solid defensive positions. He also advises against allowing the enemy to dictate the terms of the battle and instead suggests taking control of the situation by taking the initiative.

“The general who is skilled in attack looks for the opportunity to attack when the enemy is vulnerable and then strikes with all his might.”

Chapter 5: Energy

In this chapter, Sun Tzu discusses the importance of maintaining energy and momentum on the battlefield. He advises leaders to keep their troops motivated and to avoid becoming overconfident or complacent. Sun Tzu also emphasizes the importance of using the element of surprise to catch the enemy off guard and to keep them on the defensive.

“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.”

Chapter 6: Weak Points and Strong

This chapter focuses on the importance of identifying and exploiting the enemy’s weaknesses. Sun Tzu advises leaders to focus their attacks on the enemy’s vulnerable points, such as their supply lines or rear guard, to disrupt their operations and gain an advantage. He also advises against being predictable and suggests using feints and diversions to mislead the enemy.

“To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.”

Chapter 7: Maneuvering an Army

In this chapter, Sun Tzu discusses the importance of mobility and agility in warfare. He advises leaders to keep their troops flexible and to be prepared to change course quickly in response to changing circumstances. Sun Tzu also emphasizes the importance of maintaining good communication and coordination among the troops, as this can help ensure that they can respond effectively to the enemy’s movements.

“The general who is skilled in defense is flexible and adapts to changing circumstances, while the general who is skilled in attack is relentless and sticks to his plan.”

Chapter 8: Variation in Tactics

This chapter focuses on the importance of being adaptable and flexible on the battlefield. Sun Tzu advises leaders to avoid becoming predictable and to use a variety of tactics in order to keep the enemy guessing. He advises against becoming too attached to any particular strategy, which can leave an army vulnerable to countermeasures.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”

Chapter 9: The Army on the March

In this chapter, Sun Tzu discusses the logistics of moving an army from one place to another. He advises leaders to consider the needs of their troops, such as their food and supplies, and to plan accordingly. Sun Tzu also emphasizes the importance of maintaining good communication and discipline among the soldiers, as this can help to ensure that they can move effectively and respond to any challenges that may arise.

“The general who is skilled in defense hides behind a natural barrier and awaits the enemy’s attack. The general who is skilled in attack moves out from behind a natural barrier and attacks the enemy.”

Chapter 10: Terrain

This chapter focuses on the importance of considering the terrain when planning a military campaign. Sun Tzu advises leaders to choose a location advantageous for their own forces while also trying to put the enemy at a disadvantage. He also discusses the different types of terrain that troops may encounter on the battlefield and how they can affect the outcome of a battle.

“The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.”

Chapter 11: The Nine Situations

In this chapter, Sun Tzu discusses the nine situations that an army may encounter on the battlefield. He advises leaders to carefully consider each scenario and choose the appropriate course of action based on specific circumstances. Sun Tzu also emphasizes the importance of adapting to changing circumstances and being flexible to maintain an advantage.

“The art of war is like water; it benefits all things and fights against none.”

Chapter 12: The Attack by Fire

This chapter focuses on the use of fire as a weapon on the battlefield. Sun Tzu advises leaders to use fire effectively to disrupt the enemy’s operations and create confusion. He also emphasizes the importance of being prepared to respond to an enemy’s use of fire and suggests using water or other means to extinguish the flames.

“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”

Chapter 13: The Use of Spies

In this final chapter, Sun Tzu discusses the importance of using spies to gather information about the enemy. He advises leaders to carefully select and train their spies and use them effectively to gather intelligence about the enemy’s plans and vulnerabilities. However, sun Tzu also emphasizes the importance of maintaining secrecy and caution to avoid being discovered by the enemy.

Overall, The Art of War is a classic work on strategy that has had a lasting impact on military thinking and beyond. Sun Tzu’s emphasis on careful planning, adaptability, and tactics and deception to gain an advantage is just as relevant today as when the text was written. The work has influenced business tactics, legal strategy, politics, sports, lifestyles and more.

The Art of War is a must-read for anyone interested in honing their leadership skills, understanding the nuances of warfare, and developing the strategies needed for success.

Read the Entire Classic

➡️To find various editions of The Art of War on Amazon, click here.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Additional Disclaimer: The original version of this story was published on another platform. Link to original version: https://medium.com/@randymasters/summary-of-the-art-of-war-3986bf763257