Sun Tzu is an ancient Chinese military strategist best known for his work The Art of War. Whether you’re picking this book up for the first time or simply looking to gain a deeper understanding of it, you’re bound to find something that interests you in this one. Broken up into 13 sections or chapters, The Art of War offers insights on military strategy, leadership, and tactics. You might even find some lessons to apply to your own personal life or career.
StepsMethod 1Method 1 of 3:Background and Basic Structure
1Look into Sun Tzu’s background to gain insight. Many times an author’s background and personal experiences influence their writings. Sun Tzu is no exception, but it’s a little more complicated in this case. Because The Art of War is an ancient text, it’s harder to pin down exactly when it was written and what society was like at the time. While we don’t know much about his life, scholars are sure he lived around 500 B.C.E. He was considered a master scholar and strategist and was likely a valued advisor to his king.[1]XResearch sourceThe Art of War is thought to be a general giving advice to the king. Try thinking about it from this perspective as you read. Do you think the advice is good?Look at some online encyclopedias or head to the local library to learn about ancient China. Getting some background information can help you understand the themes you’ll read about in this book.
2Choose a reputable translation to get a good sense of Sun Tzu’s words. There are dozens of translations of The Art of War, so it can seem daunting to even get started reading this classic. But don’t worry, there are a couple of translations that most scholars agree are among the best. If you find yourself interested in comparing different translations, you’ll have lots to choose from. But when you’re reading for the first time, reach for one of the following:[2]XResearch sourceGeneral Samuel B. Griffin’s 1963 editionRalph D. Sawyer’s 1993 editionAdvertisement
3Note that different translations emphasize different themes. Over time, many different scholars have translated The Art of War. Depending on which language the translation is in, some words, phrases, and ideas might translate differently than in other languages. For example, the translation into Arabic might inadvertently emphasize different language than an Italian translation.[3]XResearch sourceRead the introduction or foreword to your book to get a sense of when the translation was done. Consider what the world was like at that time to see if cultural norms influence the translation.For example, the chapter headings can vary between translations. This might mean that readers of one translation see a different theme than someone reading a different version.In Sawyer’s edition, for instance, he places more emphasis on historical context than Griffiths does.
4Skim the 13 major sections to get familiar with the structure. The structure of this book might feel overwhelming since 13 sections is a lot. Before you dive into the text, take a little time to briefly look at each section heading. You’ll begin to see that they each focus on an important aspect of military strategy. The 13 sections are:[4]XResearch sourceLaying PlansWaging WarAttack by StratagemTactical DispositionsEnergyWeak Points and StrongManeuveringVariation in TacticsThe Army on the MarchTerrainThe Nine SituationsThe Attack by FireThe Use of Spies[5]XResearch source
5Look up any words that you don’t understand. Don’t worry about it if you don’t know the meaning of every word that Sun Tzu uses. He was born thousands of years before you, so it’s natural that you’ll come across some unfamiliar terms. Instead of stressing, just pause your reading and take a minute to look them up online or in a dictionary. Take notes if you think you might have trouble remembering the meaning.[6]XResearch sourceFor example, you might need to look up words like emolument, betoken, and parlous.
6Examine the practical legacy of the work. One of the reasons this book is still widely read is that it impacted so many other writers and thinkers. Part of the fun of reading it is that you can make connections to other things you’ve read or even what you know about global events. As you read, look for key ideas that you think might have influenced others.[7]XResearch sourceFor example, both Napoleon and Mao Zedong were said to be huge admirers of Sun Tzu. Look for his influence in the Napoleonic wars or the Chinese civil war.AdvertisementMethod 2Method 2 of 3:Key Themes
1Pay attention to the emphasis on the changing nature of war. Sun Tzu believed that while the strategies for war were consistent, they had to also constantly evolve. He evoked an image of war being like water because it flowed and changed. As you read, look for examples of quotes that signify the importance of the changing nature of war.[8]XResearch sourceOne quote that illustrates this is, “In battle there are only the normal and extraordinary forces, but their combinations are limitless; none can comprehend them all.”[9]XResearch source The part about endless combinations is a clue that Sun Tzu intends different pieces of his advice to be adapted according to the situation.
2Take note of the focus on numerical superiority. While Sun Tzu acknowledges that there are a lot of factors needed for success, he takes great care to point out that in order to win, you need to have more troops. This theme appears throughout the book, so pay attention to how frequently this comes up. This focus sets Sun Tzu apart from other thinkers, like Clausewitz.[10]XResearch sourceSun Tzu argues that being superior in numbers is the crucial ingredient in winning a battler.During the Korean War, the Chinese strategy was to count on overwhelming the enemy with the sheer number of their forces. This is an example of modern generals relying on Sun Tzu’s advice.
3Look for the traditional Chinese concepts of Yin and Yang. You’ve probably heard of Yin and Yang before but might not know exactly what it means. It’s basically the idea that there is a natural balance to everything, a weak and a strong, or a dark and light. Sun Tzu believed in the importance of Yin and Yang and you can find examples throughout his work. Take note of them and consider how they connect to the other themes in the book.[11]XResearch sourceThe Art of War notes the existence of Yin and Yang in the introduction. Sun Tzu wrote, “It is a place/Of life and death,/A road/To survival and extinction.” He is signifying that war is about balance.[12]XResearch source
4Examine the importance of good leadership. In the Art of War, the generals are the most important leaders. As you read, make notes about characteristics that Sun Tzu thinks generals should have. You’ll see that he recommends that a general be completely in charge and responsible for every aspect of the war.[13]XResearch sourceFor example, Sun Tzu didn’t think the ruler (or king) should try to tell the general what to do. He wrote, “Have a capable general,/Unhampered by his sovereign.”[14]XResearch source
5Notice the lessons on taking the path of least resistance. One of the most important themes in the Art of War is that the best way to succeed is often the easiest way. In the sections on terrain, look for places where he advises choosing the least treacherous path. In the sections on knowing the enemy, he recommends taking advantage of weaknesses in the other general’s personality.[15]XResearch sourceSun Tzu wrote that the path of least resistance can lead to a holistic victory. He explains the importance of that by saying, “…a nation destroyed/Cannot be/Put back together again;/A dead man/Cannot be/Brought back to life.”[16]XResearch sourceAdvertisementMethod 3Method 3 of 3:Applying Key Lessons
1Choose “battles” you are likely to win. A lot of Sun Tzu’s wisdom is applicable today. You can use it in your personal life or even apply it in professional settings. One of the most relevant themes is that you should focus on fights you should win, or in other words, goals you can actually accomplish.[17]XResearch sourceFor example, if you want to start running for exercise, set a reasonable goal. Instead of trying to run a marathon within 3 months of starting, plan to run a 10k or half marathon. If you set goals that you can’t realistically reach, you might be setting yourself up for disappointment.At work, you might want to earn a promotion. Instead of promising yourself that you’ll be CEO within a month, start by figuring out how to become a manager in your department. You can always work your way up from there.
2Set achievable goals as Sun Tzu advises. Sun Tzu actually gives great advice on how to develop habits. The trick is just to apply what he says about battles and military strategy to your everyday life. You can adapt key phrases like, “You can be sure in succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended,” to language about habits.[18]XResearch sourceFor example, the passage above could be turned into something like, “You can make sure you’ll stick to your habits if you choose habits that you know you can add to your life.”In other words, plan for success. Don’t plan to start an early morning workout routine if you know that you hate working out in the morning. Just plan to get your exercise later in the day.
3Apply ideas about generals to managing employees. If you manage other people, Sun Tzu has tons of helpful tips for you. Make it a point to carefully read his sections on generals. You’ll see that he recommends things like only putting responsible, capable people in charge.[19]XResearch sourceTake lessons like this to heart. Think about your management style and find examples from Sun Tzu that can help you improve your leadership capabilities. For example, he recommends having highly trained troops. Maybe you can improve the training process for your employees.
4Be decisive and quick to improve your business. Sun Tzu notes that the best way to succeed is to be able to think and act quickly. In business or any other career, you can adopt this mindset. While it’s good to gather information and weigh your options, take care not to be indecisive. Sun Tzu recommends quick decision making.[20]XResearch sourceYou can find information about leadership in all of the sections about generals.
5Research your competition to gain an advantage. Probably the best known lesson from Sun Tzu is to know your enemy. This one is really easy to apply to your career. Do research about your competition so that you can identify their strengths and weaknesses. Then you can adapt so that you perform better.[21]XResearch sourceFor example, maybe you want to start a new restaurant in your town. Check out the reviews of similar restaurants online. Whatever the customers complain about, make sure that you do it differently at your own spot.Advertisement
