The Art of War

There is a fabulous little book written 2,500 years ago by a Chinese Warrior called Sun Tzu. His work was edited by James Clavell in 1981 (he wrote Noble House). Clavell believes that if we had followed the wisdom of the Art of War, we would have had different results in Vietnam, Korea, Iran, and the British empire would still be in tact. Here are a few ideas to help you in your war of life.

The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.

You may advance and be absolutely irresistible, if you make for the enemy's weak points; you may retire and be safe from pursuit if your movements are more rapid from those of the enemy.

Now in order to kill the enemy, our men must be roused to anger; that there may be advantage from defeating the enemy, they must get theit rewards.

Therefore in chariot fighting, when ten or more chariots have been taken, those should get rewarded who took the first. Our own flags should be substituted for those of the enemy, and the chariots mingled and used in conjunction with ours. The captured soldiers should be kindly treated and kept.

This is called, using the conquered for to augment one's own strength.

What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.

He wins his battles by making no mistakes. Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.

A clever general avoids an armywhen its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods.

Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

Take the time to read this gem!

- Wayne Mansfield