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Chapters: 13 Ideas: 71

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The Art of War

Sun Tzu 500-200 BCE

How can you win without costly conflict? Principles of military strategy, from assessing an opponent to choosing terrain and timing. Examine preparation, deception, intelligence, and adaptation, with an emphasis on securing victory while avoiding costly conflict.

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  1. Idea 41

    Do not rely on the enemy's failure to arrive or attack. Rely on readiness to receive them and on positions they cannot profitably attack.

  2. Idea 53

    Knowing the enemy and one's own troops is still only partial knowledge. Full confidence requires knowing whether the ground and conditions permit battle.

  3. Idea 63

    Fire can support an attack and water can isolate an enemy, but neither automatically captures the objective. Instruments of war create opportunities; they do not replace judgment and action.

Contents
  1. Initial Assessments5 ideas
  2. Waging War4 ideas
  3. Attack by Strategy6 ideas
  4. The Formation of the Army5 ideas
  5. Strategic Force5 ideas
  6. Weakness and Strength6 ideas
  7. Maneuvering7 ideas
  8. Adaptation4 ideas
  9. The Army on the March6 ideas
  10. Terrain5 ideas
  11. The Nine Situations8 ideas
  12. Attack by Fire4 ideas
  13. The Use of Spies6 ideas