I’ve been aware of this book at least since high school, and attempted reading it while in college. However, with this particular printing that I’ve come across, it’s pretty much the equivalent of reading a numerical list starting with “Sun Tzu said…”
I’m not sure whether it’s because of my business experience at this point, but I found the book much more engaging this time around. Regarding the world’s current military interests and foreign policy, one can’t help but wonder if decision makers are consciously ignoring the wisdom in this book.
Some choice excerpts from all chapters follow:
1. “All warfare is based on deception.”
2. “Many calculations lead to victory; few calculations lead to defeat.”
3. “There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.”
4. “It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.”
5. “The best thing of all is to take the enemy’s country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good.”
6. “If you know the enemy and you know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”
7. “The consummate leader strictly adheres to method and discipline.”
8. “Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.”
9. “Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
10. “If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight.”
11. “The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach.”