Short summary
Key points
The art of war is very crucial to the government because it is a path either to security or destruction
• The Moral Law. It compels the population to be in full compliance with their leader so that they will obey him, not discouraged by any danger
• Heaven. Heaven points to seasons and time, day and night, heat and cold.
• Earth. Earth includes distances, whether small or great, possibilities of life and death, narrow passes and open ground, security, and danger.
• The Commander. The Commander signifies benevolence, sincerity, strictness, quality of wisdom, sincerity, and courage.
• Method and Discipline. Method and discipline must be utilized in the assemblage of the army in its formal subdivisions, the division of rank among the officials, the upkeep of roads by which supplies can get to the army, and the supervision of military expenses.
The general who wins a battle makes lots of analyses in his sanctuary where the war is fought. The general who forfeits a battle makes just a few analyses beforehand. Therefore, if lots of analyses lead to success and few analyses to defeat: how then will a general with no analysis win? By reading up to this point, you can predict who has the potential of winning or losing.
In the subsequent chapters, you’ll learn more about military techniques, and how to successfully plan a battle.
Did you know? According to the New York Times, at least 108 million people were killed in wars in the twentieth century.