Summary of the "Art of War"

Teachings of Sun Tzu are based on the principles of the Taoist religion.

In thirteen concise chapters of the Art of War, general Sun Tzu defines a sophisticated science in a deliberative manner, starting with a key assertion: "War is a vital matter of state." More quotes from Sunzi.

1. Laying plans

Summary: Art of War, 始计, initial estimations, the calculations.

Detail assessment and planning explores the five fundamental factors (the Way, seasons, terrain, leadership and management) and seven elements that determine the outcomes of military engagements. By thinking, assessing and comparing these points, a commander can calculate his chances of victory. Habitual deviation from these calculations will ensure failure via improper action. The text stresses that war is a very grave matter for the state and must not be commenced without due consideration.

2. Waging war

Summary: Art of War, 作战, waging war, the challenge.

Waging war explains how to understand the economy of warfare and how success requires winning decisive engagements quickly. This section advises that successful military campaigns require limiting the cost of competition and conflict.

3. Attack by stratagem

Summary: Art of War, 谋攻, planning offensives, the plan of attack.

Strategic attack defines the source of strength as unity, not size, and discusses the five factors that are needed to succeed in any war. In order of importance, these critical factors are: attack, strategy, alliances, army and cities.

4. Tactical dispositions

Summary: Art of War, 军形, military disposition, positioning.

Disposition of the army explains the importance of defending existing positions until a commander is capable of advancing from those positions in safety. It teaches commanders the importance of recognizing strategic opportunities, and teaches not to create opportunities for the enemy.

5. Energy

Summary: Art of War, 兵势, strategic military power, directing.

Forces explains the use of creativity and timing in building an army's momentum.

6. Weak points & strong

Summary: Art of War, 虚实, vacuity and substance, illusion and reality.

Weaknesses and Strengths explains how an army's opportunities come from the openings in the environment caused by the relative weakness of the enemy in a given area.

7. Maneuvering

Summary: Art of War, 军争, military combat, engaging the force.

Military maneuvers explains the dangers of direct conflict and how to win those confrontations when they are forced upon the commander.

8. Variation in tactics

Summary: Art of War, 九变, nine changes, the nine variations.

Variations and adaptability focuses on the need for flexibility in an army's responses. It explains how to respond to shifting circumstances successfully.

9. The army on the march

Summary: Art of War, 行军, maneuvering the army, moving the force.

Movement and development of troops describes the different situations in which an army finds itself as it moves through new enemy territories, and how to respond to these situations. Much of this section focuses on evaluating the intentions of others.

10. Terrain

Summary: Art of War, 地形, terrain, configurations of terrain.

Situational positioning looks at the three general areas of resistance (distance, dangers and barriers) and the six types of ground positions that arise from them. Each of these six field positions offer certain advantages and disadvantages.

11. The nine situations

Summary: Art of War, 九地, nine terrains, the nine battlegrounds.

Nine terrains describes the nine common situations (or stages) in a campaign, from scattering to deadly, and the specific focus that a commander will need in order to successfully navigate them.

12. The attack by fire

Summary: Art of War, 火攻, incendiary attacks, fiery attack.

Attacking with fire explains the general use of weapons and the specific use of the environment as a weapon. This section examines the five targets for attack, the five types of environmental attack and the appropriate responses to such attacks.

13. The use of spies

Summary: Art of War, 用间, employing spies, the use of intelligence.

Intelligence and espionage focuses on the importance of developing good information sources, and specifies the five types of intelligence sources and how to best manage each of them.

In conclusion

This book is not only standard reading for military theorists and many great generals throughout history but has also become increasingly popular among political leaders and those in business management.

Excerpted from Al Maghrib Institute’s “Fiqh of Love” seminar with Shaykh Waleed Basyouni.

Great relationships don’t just happen; they are created. You have to work at it.
If your job takes all of your best energy, your marriage will suffer.
One of the greatest gifts you can give your spouse is your own happiness.
It is possible to love and hate someone at the same time.
When you complain about your spouse to your friends, remember that their feedback can be distorted.
The only rules in your marriage are those you both choose to agree with.
It is not conflict that destroys marriage; it is the cold, smoldering resentment that you hold for a long time.
It’s not what you’ve got, it’s what you do with what you have.
If you think you are too good for your spouse, think again.
Growing up in a happy household doesn’t ensure a happy marriage, or vice versa.
It’s never too late to repair damaged trust.
The real issue is usually not the one you are arguing about.
Love isn’t just a feeling; it is expressed through our actions.
Expectations set us up for disappointment and resentment.
Arguments cannot be avoided, but destructive arguments can be avoided.
One of the greatest gifts you can give your spouse is focused attention.
Even people with happy marriages sometimes worry that they married the wrong person.
Your spouse cannot rescue you from unhappiness, but they can help you rescue yourself.
The cost of a lie is far greater than any advantage you gain from speaking it.
Your opinion is not necessarily the truth.
Trust takes years to establish and moments to destroy.
Guilt-tripping won’t get you what you really want.
Don’t neglect your friends.
If you think, “You are not the person I married,” you are probably right.
Resisting the temptation to prove your point will win you a lot of points.
Generosity of spirit is the foundation of a good marriage.
If your spouse is being defensive, you might be giving them reasons to be like that.
Marriage isn’t 50/50; it’s 100/100.
You can pay now or pay later, but the later you pay, the more interest and penalties you acquire.
Marriage requires sacrifice, but your benefits outweigh your costs.
Forgiveness isn’t a one-time event; it’s a continous process.
Accepting the challenges of marriage will shape you into a better person.
Creating a marriage is like launching a rocket: once it clears the pull of gravity, it takes much less energy to sustain the flight.
A successful marriage has more to do with how you deal with your current reality than with what you’ve experienced in the past.
Don’t keep feelings of gratitude to yourself.
There is no greater eloquence than the silence of real listening.
One of the greatest questions to ask your spouse is “How best can I love you?”
Marriage can stay fresh over time.
Assumptions are fine as long as you check them before acting upon them.
Intention may not be the only thing, but it is the most important thing.
Good sex won’t make your marriage, but it’ll help.
Privacy won’t hurt your marriage, but secrecy will.
Possessiveness and jealousy are born out of fear, not love.
Authenticity is contagious and habit-forming.
If your spouse thinks something is important, then it is.
Marriage never outgrows the need for romance.
The sparkle of a new relationship is always temporary.
There is violence in silence when it’s used as a weapon.
It’s better to focus on what you can do to make things right, then what your partner did to make things wrong.
If you think marriage counseling is too expensive, try divorce.

Life Advice

Wednesday, November 6, 2013