The Art of War

Sun Tzu
 Overview
• Authored by Sun Tzu in the 6th century B.C
• Consists of 13 chapters that deal into different
aspects of warfare.
• Can be applied to traditional and modern
businesses.
 Chapter 1: Initial Estimation
• Warfare is the greatest affair of the state. It
must be thoroughly pondered and analyzed.
• Warfare is the Tao of deception.
• Go forth where they will not expect it.
 Chapter 2: Waging War
• The strategy for waging war and employing
the military will be one thousand pieces of
gold per day.
• No country has ever profited from protracted
warfare.
• The wise general will concentrate on securing
provisions from the enemies.
• Conquering the enemy and growing stronger.
 Chapter 3: Planning Offensives
• Subjugating the enemy`s army without
fighting is the true pinnacle of excellence.
• Fight under “heaven” with the paramount aim
of preservation.
• A small enemy that acts inflexibly will become
the captives of a large enemy.
 Chapter 4: Military Disposition
• The one who excels at warfare first establishes
himself in a position where he cant be
defeated.
Chapter 5: Strategic Military Power
• Fighting with a large number is like fighting
with a few.
• The one who excels at sending forth the
unorthodox is a inexhaustible as Heaven.
• In turmoil and confusion their deployment is
circular and they cannot be defeated.
• Seeking military power through use of strategy
and not from reliance on men.
 Chapter 6: Vacuity and Substance
• The one who excels at warfare compels men
and is not compelled by other men.
• Strike positions that are undefended.
• Attack objectives that he must rescue.
• The location where we will engage the enemy
should not be known to them.
 Chapter 7: Military Combat
• The most difficult is turning adversity into
advantage.
• Combat between armies is advantageous but
between masses is dangerous.
• The one who does not know the plans of the
feudal lords cannot prepare alliances before
hand.
• The army is established by deceit.
 Chapter 8: 9 Changes
• In general the strategy for employing the
military is:
– Choose a Favorable Battleground
– Shape Your Opponent’s Strategy
– Make Victory the Only Option
– Plan Coordinated Efforts
• Do not rely on their not attacking, but depend
on our having an unassailable position.
Chapter 9: Maneuvering the Army
• Exploit the natural assistance of the terrain.
• If you want to ford the river, wait until it
settles.
• The general whose orders are constantly
carried out has established a mutual
relationship with people.
 Chapter 10: Configuration of Terrain
• Six types of ill fated armies:
– Running off
– Lax
– Sinking
– Crumbling
– Chaotic
– Routed
• When the general regards his troops as his children,
they will advance into the deepest valley with him.
 Chapter 11: 9 Terrains
• First seize something that they love for, then
they will listen to you.
• Compare the army to the snake known as
shuaijan.
• Compel them with the prospects of profit but
do not inform them about the potential harm.
• If the enemy opens the door you must race in.
 Chapter 12: Incendiary Attracts
• A wise general ponders it, the good general
cultivates it.
 Chapter 13: Employing Spies
• There are no areas in which one does not
employ spies.
“one who knows the enemy and knows himself
will not be endangered in a hundred
engagements”
 Thank You
• Ankit
• Parth
• Raghav