The Art of War was written by a Chinese military leader named Sun Tzu--or perhaps not. Historians are unsure whether Sun Tzu actually wrote it or if it was written by many military leaders over a period of centuries. What they do know is that it appeared in the fourth or fifth century, and bamboo slat copies made their way into the hands of military and political leaders all across China. As its name implies, this book provides basic instruction on the principles of warfare and describes strategies for how and when to fight.
For thousands of years, military leaders in China used The Art of War to fight and win battles. The book made its way to Korea and Japan in the eighth century and was finally translated into English in 1905. U.S. military leaders, such as Norman Schwarzkopf and Colin Powell, have used this book, as have many business leaders, lawyers, coaches, and entrepreneurs.
The book has a fairly simple structure and is quite easy to understand. Look at this excerpt to see for yourself.
I. Laying Plans
- Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to the State.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.
- Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.
- The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness.
- 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.
What is the structure of The Art of War?
The main headings are listed with Roman numerals, and the points under them use numbers. Also, points are introduced as a list (as in point 4), and then explained in detail (points 5-10).
Click the Read Me button to read a longer excerpt from The Art of War. As you read, make a list of questions and comments that can help you understand the purpose and implications of the text. Think about how readers in different fields of work might use the advice in the manual to "conquer" an enemy or a situation. Save your questions and answers in a word processing document, which you will use later in this lesson.
