2. QUOTES
The control of a large force is the same principle as the
control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up
their numbers.
The ultimate in disposing one's troops is to be without
ascertainable shape. Then the most penetrating spies
cannot pry in nor can the wise lay plans against you.
If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders
are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame.
But if his orders ARE clear, and the soldiers nevertheless
disobey, then it is the fault of their officers.
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory.
Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
3. QUOTES
If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight.
One defends when his strength is inadaquate, he attacks when it is abundant
The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike
and destroy its victim.
When the enemy is at ease, be able to weary him; when well fed, to starve him; when at
rest, to make him move. Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he
does not expect you.
If you know your enemy and you know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred
battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy for every victory gained you will also suffer
a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself you will succumb in every battle.
For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue
the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.
What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning
with ease.
To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape.
To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.
4. QUOTES
a leader leads by example not force
Too frequent rewards indicate that the general is at the end of his resources; too
frequent punishments that he is in acute distress.
Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.
All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the
strategy out of which victory is evolved.
If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even
though the lines of our encampment be merely traced out on the ground. All we
need to do is to throw something odd and unaccountable in his way.
A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear
to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to
war first and then seek to win.
5. QUOTES
The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there
are any actual hostilities... It is best to win without fighting.
Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness;
travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions.
If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him.
Management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of
organization.
The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and
then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.
Swift as the wind. Quiet as the forest. Conquer like the fire. Steady as the
mountain
6. QUOTES
It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct
espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you. Give them
instructions and care for them. Thus doubled agents are recruited and
used.
Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer
the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those
of ordinary men is foreknowledge.
And therefore those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle
and are not brought there by him.
There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.
When able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we
must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy
believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we
are near
7. QUOTES
When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum. When the
strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing.
Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its
every move.
It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be
imperilled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know
yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor
yourself, you will be imperilled in every single battle.
He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious.
Subtle and insubstantial, the expert leaves no trace; divinely mysterious, he is
inaudible. Thus he is master of his enemy's fate.
A skilled commander seeks victory from the situation and does not demand it of
his subordinates.
9. The Art of War
Sun Tzu’s context
Warring States’ Era
Key ideas?
Principles
Checklist
Template
10. War
A conflict of several conditions
Moral influence
Weather
Terrain
Command
Doctrine
11. Issues for Consideration
Key ideas
Relationship between
War and politics
Political and military
objectives
Bloodless battles
Sun Tzu today
12. Key ideas
Deception
The indirect approach
Flowing water
Adaptability
Flexibility
Coordinated maneuver
Ultimate goal?
When to fight?
War and politics?
What to attack?
13. What to attack?
The goals of strategy
The enemy’s strategy
His alliances
His army
His cities
14. Key ideas
How was war to be waged?
Primary target?
Center of gravity
What is needed for victory?
17. Questions?
Can open societies execute clever
stratagems? With
Complex military organizations?
A free media?
Conflicting political institutions?
22. Points to remember: Lesson 1
Sun Tzu’s context
.
Harmony with USMC
philosophy
.
Acme of skill
.
Main object of war
.
Good generalship
.
Use of intelligence
.
Notes de l'éditeur
Sun Tzu’s context:
.
Harmony with USMC philosophy
.
Acme of skill
.
Main object of war
.
Good generalship
.
Use of intelligence
.