FEMI TAIWO ON MONDAY: Lessons from Sun Tzu’s Art of War
[Note: There are three different deeply enlightening books with the same title of “Art of War”. The first was written by Sun Tzu about 2, 500 years ago; then Niccolo Machiavelli wrote his in 1520 and the last was written by Baron de Jemini in 1836. We will review these books in chronological order. Although they have the same title, the content markedly differs. We start today with Sun Tzu’s Art of War.]
Sun Tzu was a Chinese army General that distilled his reflections on how to win war in simple but profound essays. This is the oldest military treatise in history. Written 500 BC, its continued existence is proof of its enduring wisdom. The techniques of warfare may have changed – we don’t ride on horsebacks anymore, for instance – but the principles of winning haven’t. This is an eminently practical 100-page book. I will review this elegantly written prose by expanding on a few quotes.
- 1. 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
At the end of the day, the only thing you can count on is you. It is an encouraging fact that man can elevate his life by conscious endeavor. There is a great variety of factors that influence the outcomes of events but none is as dominant as you. The only denominator in your life is you. You determine where you want to end up; not your enemy, not your ally, not the order of constellations in the sky. You fortify your position. You make your walls impregnable. You defend your turf and enlarge it if you will. You start to live the day you realize this.
- 2. Know the enemy’s plans
It beggars belief how often this simple advice is ignored. Besides knowing yourself, knowing your enemy is the single most important winning factor. You need to understand the character of your adversary. In business, it is called market research; in politics, opposition research. Give it any name you want, what it boils down to is you want to know who you are playing against. Fixate on his plans, on his weaknesses, learn all you can – your victory depends on it.
- 3. The natural formation of the country (terrain) is the soldier’s best ally
Know the terrain. The terrain is the battleground. It is where your will and the enemy’s will conflict. The skillful combatant masters this space. Understand the environment where you operate. Map out its contours. Be grounded in its geography. Use it to your advantage. The terrain is where you win or lose; live or die. Your allies are for you; your enemies, against but the terrain is neutral. Corral it. Employ it. Do this and your head will be crowned here while your enemy loses his.
I love Sun Tzu’s Art of War because it says so much in so few words. If you know yourself, you will win half the battles you face. If you know yourself and know who you are up against, you will win more often. If you know yourself, know your enemy and the terrain, you win all the time. No exceptions.
