The Art of War with Study Guide: Deluxe Special Edition

By Sun Tsu and Theresa Puskar

This Chinese treatise on war was written by Sun Tzu in the 6th century B.C. Each one of the 13 chapters is devoted to a different aspect of warfare, making it the definitive work on military strategies and tactics of its time. Studied by generals from Napoleon to Rommel, it is still one of the most influential works on the subject and is required reading in most military academies around the world.

Although it was meant to be a practical guide to warfare in the age of chariots, this seminal work on the philosophy of successful leadership is as applicable to contemporary business as it is to war, and has become increasingly popular among today's corporate and political leaders.

This deluxe edition of this classic work, includes a 21st century study guide filled with practices and exercises that will help you dig deep into the inherent wisdom of this powerful text.

• Language: English
• Publisher: G&D Media
• Release date: Oct 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9781722520762

Sun Tsu

SUN TZU was a Chinese general, military strategist, and philosopher who lived in China in the 6th century BC. Sun Tzu is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, a widely influential work of military strategy that has affected both Western and Eastern philosophy. Sun Tzu is revered in China as a legendary historical figure. His birth name was Sun Wu; the name Sun Tzu by which he is best known is an honorific that means "Master Sun."

Book preview

I.

Laying Plans

  1.  Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to the State.

  2.  It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.

  3.  The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one’s deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field.

  4.  These are:

(1)  The Moral Law;

(2)  Heaven;

(3)  Earth;

(4)  The Commander;

(5)  Method and discipline.

5,6.  The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.

  7.  Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.

  8.  Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.

  9.  The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness.

10.  By method and discipline are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.

11.  These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.

12.  Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise:

13.  (1)  Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law?

(2)  Which of the two generals has most ability?

(3)  With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?

(4)  On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?

(5)  Which army is stronger?

(6)  On which side are officers and men more highly trained?

(7)  In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?

14.  By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.

15.  The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat: let such a one be dismissed!

16.  While heading the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules.

17.  According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one’s plans.

18.  All warfare is based on deception.

19.  Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

20.  Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.

21.  If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.

22.  If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

23.  If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.

24.  Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

25.  These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.

26.  Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.

STUDY GUIDE

I. Laying Plans

Before venturing out into any major endeavor, it is important that you have a plan of attack. To make vast changes in your life without doing the preparatory work, will ensure a fast and ruthless defeat. In this chapter, Sun Tzu lays the groundwork that you need to adhere to when setting out to wage a war against your inner turmoil.

*NOTE: Any text from THE ART OF WAR that is referenced in the Study Guide segments below will be italicized.

  1.  In #1, Sun Tzu opened The Art of War saying, The are of war is of vital importance to the state. Why do you think you were drawn to this book and manual at this time in your life?

  2.  #2 states, It is a matter of life and death, a road to safety or ruin. Therefore it is a subject that must be thoroughly studied. Do you have a sense of urgency around creating an inner sense of peace? Why or why not?

  3.  How might your life be ruined if you continue living it with the inner turmoil you experience?

  4.  What would safety look like to you now? Make a list of the elements that would contribute to feeling safe in your life.

  5.  Could the safety potentially come from changing your perception about feeling safe? What if you didn’t need anything from the list above in order to feel safe? Do you think you would experience greater peace?

  6.  In #3, Sun Tzu lists five factors that govern the art of war as being:

1)  The Moral Law,

2)  Heaven,

3)  Earth,

4)  The Commander, and

5)  Method and Discipline. #5, 6:

The Moral Law causes people to be in complete accord with their ruler and to follow him regardless of any danger to their lives." Are you in complete accord with yourself? If not, list any areas where you currently struggle to trust your own innate wisdom.

  7.  #7: Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons. These are all environmental factors that have an impact on your sense of security and peace. Do you feel at one with the world around you? Do you feel supported, or do you often feel at odds with factors like time? On a scale from one to ten, rate how environmentally supported you currently feel in your life (1 being barely at all and 10 being extremely supported):

  8.  #8: Earth comprises near and far distances, dangerous and secure positions; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death. In what areas of your life do you believe your well-being is being threatened most? In your work relationships? Debts? Personal relationships? Faith? Or other?

  9.  #9: The Commander stands for virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness. Do a personal inventory. Which of these virtues do you possess? Which of these traits would you like to cultivate further within yourself?

10.  #10: Method and Discipline describes the disposition of the army, its subdivisions, the gradation and deployment of its officers, the maintenance of roads that carry supplies to the army, and the management of military expenditure. While we will seek out methods that you can deploy in your battle to find peace of mind, you need to have discipline to do so. On a scale from one to ten, rate how much discipline you currently have in your commitment to make inner peace with the warring factions in your mind (1 being very little and 10 being a great deal):

11.  Sun Tzu states, the general who knows the five factors will be victorious. Do an inventory of your two armies. Respond to each of the questions below to determine which aspect of yourself (your higher-self or your ego-self) has advantage:

Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law?

Which of the two generals has most ability?

With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?

On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? Which army is stronger?

On which side are officers and men more highly trained?

In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?

12.  Based on the inventory you did above, what currently has the greatest command of your mind—your ego or higher self?

13.  Sun Tzu suggested that you avail yourself also to any helpful circumstances that give you advantages beyond ordinary conditions. Is there anything or anyone in your life that might further support you in finding greater peace of mind? For example, do you have a friend or family member who demonstrates compassion and deeper understanding that you could share your discoveries and insights with, as you delve into this treatise? If so, ask if you can share your growth experience with them?

14.  #18."All warfare is based on deception. #19. Hence, when able to attack, seem as if unable to attack; when using forces actively, seem inactive; when nearby, make the energy believe you are far away; when far away, make the enemy believe you are nearby." In it’s attempt to assert itself, what ways do your ego deceive your? Make is list of the misguided beliefs that you have perpetuated about yourself and others.

15.  #20, Hold out baits to entice the enemy to act. Feign disorder, and strike him when he seeks to take advantage. How do you think your inner critic takes advantage of you? For example, does it keep you feeling Not good enough thus you don’t take action on manifesting your desires? Does it sabotage you when you are doing well? Make a list of the ways that it seeks to take advantage of you.

16.  #21: If your enemy is secure at all points, prepare for his attack. If he has superior strength, evade him." How might you evade your ego as it attacks your peace of mind? Write three things you could do that might disempower that critical voice in your head.

17.  #22: If your enemy bares a short temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, so he becomes arrogant. Take note when you find yourself short-tempered with others. Usually if someone’s behavior irritates you, your judgment of him or her reflects your own judgment of yourself. You might say, Wait a second. I don’t behave in that way. In fact, I am the exact opposite. Very often, you may have previously judged the behavior in yourself, and in response, you have erased it from your behaviors. In fact, very often you behave in the exact opposite way. For example, I react harshly to others being late. Based on this model, I would conclude that my strong reaction against latecomers if not about me, because I am almost always on time. In fact, I’m usually very early. If you investigate further, you may discover that your intolerance of latecomers is extreme because you wouldn’t dare let yourself be late. Ultimately, you resent others behaving in the way because you no longer tolerate in yourself. Note: This does not mean that the behavior is acceptable. Being late for no good reason is rude. However, if your reaction to that behavior or any other is very judgment and harsh, you may need to look deeper within for your own intolerance of anything short of perfection in