Sun-Tzu-2 2

SUN TZU’s
Art of War
SUN TZU
 Sun Tzu flourished 5th century BC.
 He is the reputed author of the Chinese classic
Bingfa (The Art of War)
 He is a military strategist and general who served
the state of Wu
 China was divided into six or seven states that
often resorted to war with each other in their
struggles for supremacy.
 The Art of War is a systematic guide to strategy
and tactics for rulers and commanders.
 This is summarized in the axiom “Know the
enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a
SUN TZU
 Sun Tzu flourished 5th century BC.
 He is the reputed author of the Chinese classic
Bingfa (The Art of War)
 He is a military strategist and general who served
the state of Wu
 China was divided into six or seven states that
often resorted to war with each other in their
struggles for supremacy.
 The Art of War is a systematic guide to strategy
and tactics for rulers and commanders.
 This is summarized in the axiom “Know the
enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a
SUN TZU
Sun Tzu’s Art of War is the world’s most widely read and most
frequently quoted (and misquoted) work of strategic theory.
 Three major claims:
(1) that the text contains the wisdom of Sun Tzu, who deserves
the title of master (zi), a thinker on par with the greatest
philosophers;
(2) that the sole purpose for the existence and employment of
the military is to increase the wealth and power of the state;
and
(3) that the general must wield the military with the same skill and
autonomy with which a master swordsman handles his
weapon.
 Political- Military Nexus- The art of war is of vital importance
to the state. He whose generals are able and the conduct of war
and has not been interfered by the politicians will be victorious.
SUN TZU
Sun Tzu’s Art of War is the world’s most widely read
and most frequently quoted (and misquoted) work of
strategic theory.
What is Sunzi?
The Three Theoretical
Prescriptions
Be efficient, avoid protraction, and value the
commander’s intellect and skill above all else.
The second of the Sun Tzu’s core theoretical

prescriptions is to avoid protraction.
The third prescription of the Sun Tzu’s places an

emphasis on the intellectual, as opposed to the
heroic, qualities of the commander.
SUN TZU
5 categories of net assessment to determine the
nature of a looming conflict:
(1)the spiritual strength of a state;

(2) the environment;
(3) the terrain;
(4) command; and
(5) method
Basic ideas of
SUN TZU
 Object of War: Attain Victory- “The Supreme
Excellence is to achieve victory without resort to
battle.”
 Purpose of War: that the sole purpose for the
existence and employment of the military is to
increase the wealth and power of the state.
 Strategic Theory:
-In war the best policy is to take a state intact; to ruin it is
inferior to this.
-To capture the enemy's entire army is better than to destroy it;
to take intact a regiment, a company, or a squad is better than
to destroy them.
- For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not
Basic ideas of
SUN TZU
 Strategic Preferences: Argue that war comes
from shattering the enemy’s will to fight rather than
destroying his Army.
Calculation: The Outcome of war can be known in
advance if the leader makes a complete estimates
of the situation.
 Center of Gravity:
1. Attack the enemy’s strategy is of supreme
importance in war. Best alternative is to attack the
enemy’s strategy (use of Intelligence)
2. Next best is to disrupt his alliances by diplomacy.
3. The next best is to attack his army.
Five Classes of Spies
1. Native Spies
2. Internal-inward spies
3. Double Agents
4. Doomed Spies
5. Surviving Spies
When these five kinds of spy are all at work,

none can discover the secret system. This is
called the Divine Skein - or "divine manipulation
of the threads." It is the treasure of the
sovereign and their most precious faculty.
Five points of Victory
5 constants to weigh in ones deliberations:
• Moral influence
• Weather
• Terrain
• Command
• Doctrine
“All warfare is based on deception. “

Five points of Victory
Sun Tzu suggested that war must be fought in the
shortest possible time; at the least possible cost in
lives and effort; with infliction on the enemy of the
fewest possible casualties.
Five points of victory:
1. He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will
be victorious.
2. He who understands how to fight in accordance with the
strength of antagonistic forces will be victorious.
3. He whose ranks are united in purpose will be victorious.
4. He who is well prepared and lies in wait for an enemy who
is not well prepared will be victorious.
5. He whose generals are able and not interfered with by the
On Leadership
 Five traits: Intelligence, Credibility, Humaneness, Courage, and
Discipline.
 Tao- the processes and culture that influence the conduct of
military operations, or something that impacts the military
personnel at all levels
If military leaders are to succeed, their competence must
permeate every aspect of military organization.
The leader must first understand the priorities and values
embodied in the Tao
Leaders must demonstrate respect for those with whom they
interact.
Leaders must project decisiveness and courage in the face of
challenges.
Sun Tzu stressed the importance of trained and disciplined
personnel. The leader’s job, he said, is to “prepare his forces for
all tactical contingencies that may arise in the field of battle.”
The Art of Using Troops
When ten to the enemy's one, surround him.

When five times his strength, attack him.
If double his strength, divide him.
If equally matched, you may engage him with
some good plan.
If weaker numerically, be capable of withdrawing.
And if in all respects unequal, be capable of
eluding him, for a small force is but booty for one
more powerful if it fights recklessly.
Art of War Theory Into Practice
Have superior intelligence and, at the same time,

to limit an opponent’s access to intelligence.
 Use of operational initiative. Keep the enemy off
balance by employing both conventional and
unconventional forces and through deception.
 Knowing when and where to deliver the decisive
blow.
 The successful commander must study the field
of engagement
Modern Applicability and the
Influence of the Art of War
Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communist
Campaign in China
 Viet Minh commanders Vo Nguyen Giap and Ho
Chi Minh
 American Gulf War generals Norman
Schwarzkopf and Colin Powell.
 Modern day business strategies
 In some battles such as The execution of
Operation Fortitude in World War II

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SUN TZU’s

The second of the Sun Tzu’s core theoretical

The third prescription of the Sun Tzu’s places an

(1)the spiritual strength of a state;

When these five kinds of spy are all at work,

“All warfare is based on deception. “

When ten to the enemy's one, surround him.

Have superior intelligence and, at the same time,

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