art of war book report

The Art of War

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Summary and Study Guide

The Art of War, written in China during the fifth century BCE by military expert Sun Tzu , has been favored reading among soldiers and strategists for two millennia. Its concise 13 chapters, studied to this day by world leaders and generals from Chinese revolutionary Mao Zedong to US Joint Chiefs Chairman Colin Powell, teach victory through studying the opponent, building impregnable defenses, confusing the enemy with diversions, and attacking forcefully its weak spots. The book is recommended reading at leading military academies in the US, Great Britain, and elsewhere.

The principles expounded in The Art of War also apply in other areas of intense competition, such as politics, business, and sports. The book remains especially popular among business leaders, who apply its tenets to their marketplace strategies and tactics . Trial attorneys are known to use the work’s tactics in court.

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Widely available in the public domain, The Art of War boasts several English translations. The celebrated 1910 version translated by Lionel Giles, with annotations, appears in a 2016 eBook edition published by Coterie Classics; it forms the basis for this study guide.

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The Art of War begins with a warning: War is highly risky and must be considered carefully. Five main factors affect a war’s outcome: the quality of the ruler, weather, terrain, military leadership, and the state of the army. Strategists must take all these factors into account, and they must deceive the enemy about their strengths and weaknesses.

War is costly, and an army shouldn’t depend on its own country to feed it, especially during a long campaign, lest it bankrupt the state. Instead, it should forage on the food of the country it invades, capture weaponry from the enemy and use it against them, and treat kindly any prisoners so that they might be induced to join the invaders.

Instead of engaging in direct fighting, it is best to win by frustrating the enemy’s war plans or at least preventing its armies from massing. Direct fighting is a lesser choice, and an extended siege is the worst option. Wise generals know how to deploy their armies against inferior and superior forces, how to make good use of officers’ personality strengths, and how to inspire the men. Good generals know themselves, the enemy, and the situation.

A well-ordered army arranges itself to be impregnable, yet its true strength cannot be seen. Smart commanders plan carefully, taking into account the weather, terrain, and the disposition of enemy troops; they order an attack only at the best moment, suddenly and with tremendous force.

Attacks may be direct or indirect. Indirect sorties sow confusion or, in their apparent weakness, make the opponent overestimate the odds. While thus occupied, the enemy is surprised by a sudden, powerful, direct assault elsewhere against its forces.

An army should arrive early, make itself impossible to attack, and then rest; when the opponent arrives, it should be kept exhausted and preoccupied. Thereafter, the army must only attack at the enemy’s weakest points. If it faces a huge opposing formation, it should attack at unexpected places, which causes the enemy to split its forces and become disorganized.

Once on the move, an army should avoid lengthy treks, but if it maneuvers well, it can force the enemy to take longer routes that fatigue it. To this end, native informants can help leaders better understand terrain and travel routes. It is better to attack the enemy when they’re tired than to strike in the morning when they’re rested.

Perceptive generals take advantage of changing situations by abandoning plans that no longer work. They also check any tendency on their own part toward impatience, anger, fear, pride, and worry.

An army should move quickly through difficult terrain and camp in a valley with high, flat land areas, arranging things so the enemy has difficult terrain at its rear. The leader should watch and listen for telling signs and sounds from the enemy camp, such as the dust of movement, arguments that signal disorder, and indicators of thirst or hunger.

The general must consider six types of ground terrain: desirable flat land, undesirable difficult regions, areas that offer no advantage, cliffs for overhead assault, passes to blockade, and great distances to be avoided. The other dangerous terrain lies inside the minds of the officers, who must take care to avoid the rocks and pitfalls of over eagerness, weakness, anger, lack of clarity, and lack of planning.

Nine situations can affect an army’s resolve. When stationed in home territory or the land just inside the enemy’s borders, soldiers will be thinking of returning to their families. Some borderlands divide several countries at once; here, the leader can intimidate those states and bring them into alliances. Deep within enemy territory, the invaders will face dire situations that the general can use to inspire bold and energetic fighting.

A daring leader can shoot flaming arrows into an enemy camp and pick off its soldiers as they emerge. Fire can also be used to destroy provisions, weapons, and supply lines. Beyond the use of fire, other innovations may present themselves—redirecting river waters to flood a foe’s camp, for example—and good leaders must avail themselves of these opportunities as they arise.

No army should venture into enemy territory without excellent intelligence gathered from spies and informants. Five types of spies can be used: local, culled from natives; inward, working within the opponent’s government; converted, or captured spies treated well; doomed, who are given false information and then betrayed into the hands of the enemy; and surviving spies, who go deep undercover and return with vital intelligence.

At 9,500 words, The Art of War is short, concise, and filled with useful advice. Most of the book is clear and easy to understand. The work is so pithy that some of its phrases may seem esoteric or enigmatic. Certain paragraphs make reference to historical events largely unknown in the West; others use words in unusual ways that beg to be clarified. Scholars have analyzed the book thoroughly and explained virtually all its passages, especially the ones that might confuse the modern reader. This guide reflects those understandings.

Each short chapter is divided into numbered paragraphs, most of which consist of a single sentence. Quotations from the book are cited by chapter and paragraph number.

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The Art of War

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According to Master Sun , there are five fundamentals the wartime general must assess: the Way , heaven, earth, command, and discipline. Only by perceiving and understanding the lessons and forms of each, Sun says, can the general emerge victorious in battle. Winning is about taking advantage of opportunity as well as confusing and outwitting the enemy . Though victory depends greatly on preparation, it also comes down to a general’s ability to respond to ever-changing circumstances and make decisions on the spot.

Sun further notes that, because war is a costly and complicated affair that drains the nation’s finances and morale, conflicts should be resolved as soon as possible. To that end, war should be fought only for victory, not out of bloodthirstiness. The general should act proportionately and compassionately, without overreaching or pushing his men too far; there is no sense in pointless killing when an enemy city can be taken whole. In fact, winning without fighting at all is the most desirable outcome.

The general is responsible not only for the army but also the nation’s strength as a whole. The general must know how to lead his troops and make his own decisions. He must know the enemy as well as his own forces. Most of all, a general must strategize well. Just as water crashes down a gorge, so too can the army overwhelm its enemy with a well-considered strategy. And though sheer numbers must be considered when strategizing, proper organization means that having fewer troops is not a problem.

All war, Sun says, is essentially about direct and indirect action—about understanding and working with, rather than against, the flow of the situation and the opportunities arising as the conflict unfolds. Regardless of the men’s ability, if the general reacts appropriately to changing situational dynamics, his men will crush the enemy, like logs rolling down a hill.

Sun further emphasizes the importance of confusing and weakening the enemy. By keeping his own plans a mystery, the general forces the enemy to split his troops to defend many points, as the opposing general does not know where the attack will come from. With enemy troops now thinned out, the general can better concentrate his attack. Forcing the enemy to prepare against an unknown attack thus weakens him. Of course, the general must not allow himself to be cornered in this same way; if the general does not know where the strike will come, his own troops will be thinned out and divided. Therefore, the general must know the enemy’s plan, his motivations, his weaknesses, while still disguising his own.

To be sure, each victory is individual; there is no go-to formula. Victories are won by responding to myriad potential situations, as the world is constantly changing. Thus, just as water flows downhill, an army must always seek the easiest path to victory and attack the enemy’s weakest point.

The fray, Sun continues, isn’t to be entered into lightly. Throwing the army into battle could mean losing both men and equipment, and as such the general must first be sure of the lay of the land. Different terrains determine the method of attack, while mountains, rivers, salt marshes, and level ground all require different strategies to cross. There are roads and armies to avoid altogether, Sun notes. Meanwhile, gongs, drums, banners, flags and torches keep the army orderly and of one mind. The wise general gauges his men’s morale as well as the enemy’s, and only attacks at the opportune time. He remains prudent despite temptations, and doesn’t fall into traps. Recklessness, cowardice, anger, arrogance, and misplaced compassion are all faults in a general, and if an army fails, it is likely the general was guilty of one of these five vices.

Beyond knowing the lay of the land, the general must read the land for signs of the enemy’s movements: if the enemy is not moving, it means he has found advantageous terrain. If, on the other hand, the enemy is baiting the general, then the enemy is leading him into disadvantageous terrain. The general also must watch the enemy’s men to see the true state of his army: are they tired, thirsty, hungry, despondent, disorderly? Is the enemy general changeable, tyrannical, incompetent? Numbers alone do not win a battle—wisdom, understanding, and loyalty do, and the men’s state and ability is the general’s responsibility.

Even so, the general should keep his strategies even from his men, who must trust him implicitly. The general alone is the commander, and so great is his responsibility that he can even ignore the ruler ’s orders when the general—who is closer to the battle arena—knows better.

Turning to more practicalities, Sun notes that seizing something the enemy holds dear will bend him to the general’s will. Speed is also essential in war once decisions have been made, and plunder from the enemy is an efficient means to resupply the troops. Additionally, there are five things to target in a fire attack: men, supplies, equipment, warehouses, and lines of communication. The general must have the materials ready and know the best conditions to use these methods of attack, such as the right season. He must not be hasty but instead remain wise, as calamity cannot be undone. Being cautious can maintain peace.

Wars are expensive and hurt the whole nation, especially common people , so investing in a solid spy network is good financial planning. Spies should also be well-paid to ensure their loyalty. Double agents are a way to finding more spies, and so should be treated especially well. No one is closer to the general than his spies; with their information, he can know his enemy and attack his weakest points. Only the wisest general knows how to use them best.

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The Art of War

By: History.com Editors

Updated: August 21, 2018 | Original: April 23, 2010

“The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.” So begins The Art of War, a meditation on the rules of war that was first published in China. Historians don’t know the exact date of the book’s publication (though they believe it to be in the 4th or 5th century); in fact, they don’t even know who wrote it! Scholars have long believed that The Art of War’s author was a Chinese military leader named Sun Tzu, or Sunzi. Today, however, many people think that there was no Sun Tzu: Instead, they argue, the book is a compilation of generations of Chinese theories and teachings on military strategy. Whether or not Sun Tzu was a real person, it’s clear that “he” was very wise: The Art of War still resonates with readers today.

The Mystery of Sun Tzu

For generations, scholars have been trying to figure out who Sun Tzu was–if he existed at all. Legend has it that he was a Chinese military leader in an era known as the Spring and Autumn Period. This was a time of great turmoil in China, as many vassal states vied for power and control of the country’s unpopulated territories. Under these circumstances, Sun Tzu’s skills as a warrior were much in demand.

Did you know? The Art of War became a best-seller in 2001, when television mobster Tony Soprano told his therapist that he’d been reading the book. After that, the book was in such demand that Oxford University Press had to print 25,000 extra copies.

As the story goes, the king of one of the feuding vassal states challenged Sun Tzu to prove his military expertise by turning a harem of royal courtesans into an organized, well-trained fighting force. At first, the courtesans failed to perform their duties; in response, Sun Tzu beheaded two of the king’s favorites in front of everyone. After that, the courtesan armies followed orders perfectly, and the king was so impressed that he put Sun Tzu in charge of his whole military.

Scholars do not know how The Art of War came to be—and whether or not “Sun Tzu,” if he existed, had anything to do with its creation. What they do know is that copies of the book, typically written on sets of sewn-together bamboo slats, ended up in the hands of politicians, military leaders and scholars across China. From there, translated copies of “Sun Tzu’s” work found their way to Korea and Japan. (The oldest Japanese version dates from the 8th century A.D.)

For more than 1,000 years, rulers and scholars across Asia consulted The Art of War as they plotted their military maneuvers and imperial conquests. Japanese samurai, for example, studied it closely. However, it did not reach the Western world until the end of the 18th century, when a Jesuit missionary translated the book into French. (Historians say that the French emperor Napoleon was the first Western leader to follow its teachings.) It was finally translated into English in 1905.

Premises of The Art of War

The Art of War presents the basic principles of warfare and gives military leaders advice on when and how to fight. Its 13 chapters offer specific battle strategies–for example, one tells commanders how to move armies through inhospitable terrain, while another explains how to use and respond to different types of weapons–but they also give more general advice about conflicts and their resolution. Rules like “He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight;” “He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces;” “He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks;” “Victory usually goes to the army who has better trained officers and men;” and “Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril” can be applied to particular battle situations as well as to other kinds of disagreements and challenges.

The Art of War Today

Ever since The Art of War was published, military leaders have been following its advice. In the twentieth century, the Communist leader Mao Zedong said that the lessons he learned from The Art of War helped him defeat Chiang Kai-Shek’s Nationalist forces during the Chinese Civil War . Other recent devotees of Sun Tzu’s work include Viet Minh commanders Vo Nguyen Giap and Ho Chi Minh and American Gulf War generals Norman Schwarzkopf and Colin Powell .

Meanwhile, executives and lawyers use the teachings of The Art of War to get the upper hand in negotiations and to win trials. Business-school professors assign the book to their students and sports coaches use it to win games. It has even been the subject of a self-help dating guide. Plainly, this 2,500-year-old book still resonates with a 21st-century audience.

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• The Art Of War Summary

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

Written by Polly Barbour

The book is divided into twelve smaller books, each dealing with an important aspect of war, from the thinking about waging war, to the actual execution of a strategy, and also the victory that comes along with the successful implementation of a plan.

Book One explains the nature of war, and also stresses the importance of the decision to go to war in the first place. It is not a decision that should be rushed; when war is considered, plans should be made first to ensure that a campaign can be successful. Only when these plans have been made can war be declared. A successful war is not planned in retrospect. There must also be a reason for the war. What is the objective? What is hoped to be gained? More territory? More power? The neutralization of the enemy? There should be defined goals that enable a strategy to develop which in turn will ensure a victory.

Book Two looks at the more logistical aspects of conflict. Are there enough supplies to sustain troops through to the end of the campaign and are there specific protocols in place for getting those supplies to them? Are there enough troops? Troops must each be assigned a well-defined task, and a good Warlord makes sure that each man is content with the task that he is given. He is not going to be concentrating on the job that he has if he is constantly focusing on the promotion that he wants. Make sure everyone is content in their given role before contemplating going to war.

Book Three is all about the nature of an attack. It is not desirable to use force in order to invade an enemy's land unless it is absolutely unavoidable. It is better to infiltrate the enemy with one's own forces. That way they will be inwardly frightened but maintain an outward appearance of calm, which will trickle down to the people; calm, rational people are far easier to govern, and this will be to the advantage of the incoming Warlord. It is also possible that a show of force will result in a lot of deaths, and the soldiers of the defeated army may feel humiliated, and look for revenge. It is far better to gradually and peacefully subsume the enemy's army into your own so that they are ultimately part of the new force that has quietly invaded.

Book Four deals with the thinking and the theory behind a war. In ancient times, warlords devoted their entire lives to practicing war. However, they also made themselves appear to be unprepared so that their enemy would act in an over-confident manner, and likely underestimate the opponent. They are then more likely to be surprised by the well-thought out strategy that the Warlord employs.

The power of Heaven is the subject of Book Five. The good Warlord would never do anything that would go against the Heavens. He knows that when he puts his heart and soul into the art and the act of war he is harnessing the power of Heaven within himself and carries out his strategy to the best of his ability with Heaven behind him. This Warlord seems to have the help of the Heavens because every move that he makes appears easy and ensures victory.

Book Six is all about fortitude and frailty, and deals with the necessity of harnessing what is going to happen anyway to one's own advantage. It is important to use all of these advantages, and to observe the enemy for the way in which they are doing the same thing. This is how their strengths and weaknesses will emerge. The good Warlord takes little chips against the strength of an army that outnumbers his own so that it is eventually small enough for him to undertake a successful campaign.

Book Seven is a continuation of Book Six in that it explores how to manipulate existing circumstances. In the present day this would be considered putting a spin on everything. For example, if an army is moving slowly and progress is labored, effort should be made to carry insignia and exaggerate the slowness of the pace to make it appear that a procession is happening rather than a movement that is hampered in some way. This is is theme that is carried on into Book Eight where the importance of using a smoke and mirrors approach to battle is emphasized; make it appear that your strategy is one thing when it is really the opposite.

Book Nine address Variation of Circumstances; this means that the way in which things are done should be constantly changed for the safety of the troops. An example that is given is changing the resting places regularly from those designated in the pre-war plans to those that are better suited to the terrain and the territory. This is really another way of saying that a good Warlord is flexible and able to strategize under pressure and as circumstances dictate along the way.

Book Ten deals with the managing of territory in times of peace which is as important as managing a territory during a war. Territories must be clearly marked and defined and ownership clearly adhered to.

Books Eleven and Twelve are about the managing of an actual campaign from beginning to end, and the way in which individual battles must be viewed and considered. Each battle is not an end in itself, but a stepping stone to a greater victory and a successful campaign. Each battle must have a specific purpose in achieving the greater goal and each campaign should achieve the larger purpose that was set out before embarking on any action at all.

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The Art Of War Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Art Of War is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

what does the author recommend if an army is outnumbered by the enemy

If you outnumber the enemy ten to one, surround him; five to one, attack him; two to one, split him. If forces are equal, engage him in open battle; if you in turn are slightly outnumbered, evade his advances; if you are heavily outnumbered,...

STUDY OF LITERATURE

From the text, though I am not sure this is the text you are using in class.....

"Situated as it is in Morgannwg (Glamorgan), on the River Usk, not far from the Severn Sea, in a most pleasant position, and being richer in material wealth than...

From the text:

Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy. Thus the army will have food enough for its needs.

Study Guide for The Art Of War

The Art Of War study guide contains a biography of Sun Tzu, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Art Of War
• Character List

ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

The art of war.

The Art of War is an influential document about tactical warfare written by the ancient Chinese military strategist Sunzi.

Anthropology, Social Studies, Ancient Civilizations, World History, Storytelling

Sunzi was a Chinese general and most famously the author of The Art of War, one of the first documents on military strategies. Although Sunzi wrote this document thousands of years ago, it continued to influence many world leaders within the past century.

Photograph by Charistoone-Images / Alamy Stock Photo

The Art of War , an influential document written by the ancient Chinese military strategist Sunzi (also known as Sun-Tzu), is one of the first known treatise on warfare strategy in history. Known in Chinese as Bingfa , this guide features information about various battle maneuvers and tactics, as well as strategic advice on collecting information about the enemy’s location and battlefield terrain before attacking.

It is hard to know exactly when The Art of War was written, but most scholars think it was written between 475 and 221 B.C.E., during the Warring States period. Scholars also cannot be sure about the details of the life of its author, Sunzi, but they believe he was a general working for the Wu state. It is clear that whatever Sunzi’s life experiences were, he had a great deal of knowledge about warfare and tactical training.

The premise of The Art of War is that war should be avoided with diplomacy. If it cannot be avoided, it should be fought strategically and psychologically to minimize damage and the wasting of resources. Warfare should only be a last resort and heading into battle is already admitting a kind of defeat. Sunzi’s strategy in dealing with foes was a combination of peaceful resolutions and aggressive warfare . This mirrors the Taoist principals of yin and yang (or opposing but complementary forces). Sunzi recommended that every leader follow the Tao (or the natural order of the universe) as a main component of successful leadership.

The Art of War has many specific battle strategies and advisements. It stresses preparation for battle above all, including planning around climate and battle terrain, studying the enemy’s movements and weaknesses, and proper training of soldiers. At the same time, it also recommends being flexible, because the battlefield is so unpredictable. It discourages generals from engaging in siege warfare, because it extends the conflict and wastes resources. And generals should treat captured troops and defeated soldiers respectfully.

The Art of War has remained relevant over the years because it is about strategy and tactics rather than specific warfare technology. It has influenced leaders all over the world, not only in warfare but in many areas of life, including business. Modern leaders such as the former chairman of the Chinese Communist party and one of the founders of the People's Republic of China, Mao Zedong, cited The Art of War as part of their military success.

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The Art Of War Summary

1-Sentence-Summary:   The Art Of War has been considered the definitive text on military strategy and warfare ever since being written in ancient China around 500 BC, inspiring businesses, athletes, and of course generals to beat their opponents and competition the right way until today.

Favorite quote from the author:

Audio Summary

Listen to the audio of this summary with a free reading.fm account:

Here’s a great promotion tip: Whenever you create something, where you draw inspiration from someone else, let them know. For example, I always tweet at the authors of the books I read and write about here, to let them know I wrote something about their work. Sometimes, they share it.

I’m afraid that won’t be possible today because the author of this book died 500 BC. His name is Sun Tzu , and he was a Chinese general, philosopher and military strategist. His book,  The Art Of War , is the most influential strategy text in all of East Asia. It is divided into 13 chapters , each dedicated to a different aspect of warfare.

The reason it’s been so popular all around the world is that most of the lessons can be translated directly to other, competitive fields, like sports or business. In order to make it more actionable, we’ll look at it in a business context.

Here are 3 lessons from Master Sun Tzu :

Only enter battles you know you can win.

• Deceive your competition to make them do what you want.
• Lead your team as if you were leading a single man by the hand.

Are your mental faculties sharpened? Let’s win the battle of business!

If you want to save this summary for later, download the free PDF and read it whenever you want.

Lesson 1: Only enter battles you know you can win.

Winners know when to fight and when not to fight. Losers always fight and thus often end up losing.

Fools enter battles and then start thinking about how to win. Strategists know how they’re going to win before they even start to battle.

Have you ever thought about the fact that the most skillful fighters often avoid battles and that that’s why they’re never defeated?

Take Bobby Fischer , for instance. The most brilliant chess player of all time instantly retreated, after he won the world championship, not playing again for 20 years.

So if you’re starting a business, look at the industry first. Can you even win against your biggest competitors? And if not, is there a different niche you can fill?

Creating a soda brand to compete with Coca-Cola would certainly be an effort in vain, given that over 1 billion drinks of the brand are consumed every single day .

But maybe you can create a higher-priced, eco-friendly alternative, that targets single mums. That could make a fortune!

Lesson 2: Deceive your competitors to impose your will on them.

Mask strength with weakness, courage with timidity and order with disorder, Sun Tzu says.

A clever army will win not with their bodies, but with their minds .

Making it seem like you’re miles away when you’re close to the enemies base with distractions, or surprise attacking in several places to splinter opposing forces are common tactics in the battlefield.

They’re based on deceit and supposed to make your enemy do what you want them to do .

In business, you can do the same. I’m always baffled to discover insanely profitable and dominating businesses, which, on the front-end, appear like they’re a mom-and-pop store.

Take Appsumo , for example. There’s not much to discover, it seems like a small daily deal site, right?

Here’s the kicker: Appsumo is an 8-figure business. If you have to count, that’s north of $10 million/year. They have over 1 million email subscribers and made $1 million in their first year (2010).

There are endless examples like this one on the web, and this humbleness and modesty are a great way to throw off competitors – even if they might be your default setting, like Noah’s , who’s the founder.

Lesson 3: Lead your team as if you were leading a single man by the hand.

Eventually, your business will need a team. And eventually, that team will have to grow. But as companies get bigger, they get more complex.

Every single human adds an infinite amount of feelings, thoughts and ideas to the business, and all of those have to be managed.

When talking about armies, Sun Tzu says:

“A skilled general leads his army, as if he was leading a single man by the hand.”

Whether you’re managing a big army or a small one, the tools are the same: Break them down into smaller groups and then use clear signals to steer them into the right direction .

In business, that means teams should stay small, 3-4 people are often a good number to cooperate, before things get too complicated.

Then you can set clear signals, like sales targets, tools to use, and a daily morning briefing, to make sure everyone’s on track.

Never forget 1-on-1 interaction with everyone on your team, because if you treat your employees like family, they’ll be just as loyal.

The Art Of War Review

Wow. When I started typing I didn’t know I’d end up here. I have learned a ton about business in the past 50 minutes. Yet, this book is about, well, war.

The Art Of War is absolutely staggering. I thought I’d get a kick out of this, because I’m a big fan of The War Of Art , and just wanted to see where Steven Pressfield came from, regarding the title of his book.

I didn’t expect the advice to be so practical. Brilliant read. I’m not sure the 7 blinks cover all of the 13 chapters, but there are definitely lessons from all of them in there.

Let the blinks inspire you and then take the ideas into an entirely different field. You’ll be surprised how much you learn.

Who would I recommend The Art Of War summary to?

The 21 year old athlete, who wants to go professional in a competitive sport, the 37 year old founder, who just came up with his business plan and is still in the research phase, and anyone who ever had to lead a team, even if it was just in high school.

Last Updated on July 28, 2022

Niklas Göke

Niklas Göke is an author and writer whose work has attracted tens of millions of readers to date. He is also the founder and CEO of Four Minute Books, a collection of over 1,000 free book summaries teaching readers 3 valuable lessons in just 4 minutes each. Born and raised in Germany, Nik also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration & Engineering from KIT Karlsruhe and a Master’s Degree in Management & Technology from the Technical University of Munich. He lives in Munich and enjoys a great slice of salami pizza almost as much as reading — or writing — the next book — or book summary, of course!

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The best lessons from 'Art of War,' a book Evan Spiegel bought Snapchat employees when he felt threatened by Facebook

When Mark Zuckerberg and Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel first met, Spiegel left the meeting feeling unsettled.

According to a Forbes interview with Spiegel , Zuckerberg had said Facebook was working on an app that sounded a lot like Snapchat, Poke, and that the app would be launching soon.

'It was basically like, 'We're going to crush you,'" Spiegel told Forbes' J.J. Colao.

Spiegel quickly purchased a book, " The Art of War " by Sun Tzu, for each member of his six-person team.

The Art of War was written by a Chinese general named Sun Tzu more than 2,500 years ago, possibly in the 6th Century BC .  The book has long been heralded for its advice on military success. And this advice has since been co-opted by legions of armchair soldiers and generals in the business world.

The book is composed of 13 chapters, each of which focuses on a different aspect of war. It's a smart book. It's also poetic, repetitive, and arcane. So we've boiled down the highlights, compiling quotes from throughout the book.

ON MANAGEMENT: Care about your team, but also be tough

There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general:  

• recklessness , which leads to destruction;
• cowardice , which leads to capture;
• a hasty temper , which can be provoked by insults;
• a delicacy of honor, which is sensitive to shame;
• over-solicitude for his men , which exposes him to worry and trouble.   

Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.

If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose.   

When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixed duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization.

Based on text from " The Art of War ."

ON MANAGEMENT: Hire great people, because weak, frustrated subordinates will cripple you.

When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse. 

When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or not he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin. 

ON STRATEGY: Know your enemy

If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.

In your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this way:

• which of the two generals has the most ability? 
• on which side is Discipline most rigorously enforced?  
• which army is stronger? 
• on which side are the officers and men more highly trained? 
• in which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment? 

Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical. 

ON TACTICS: All warfare is based on deception

Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. 

ON TACTICS: Be decisive and quick

Though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.     

There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.   

The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.   

Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.   

Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted...

Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots. 

ON TACTICS: Exploit your enemy's weaknesses, avoid his strengths

If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant .

Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.   

If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high rampart and a deep ditch. All we need do is attack some other place that he will be obliged to relieve. 

So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.   

Based on text from " The Art of War ."  

ON TACTICS: Don't just do something for the sake of doing something -- make sure it helps you

If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.

ON TACTICS: Plan ahead -- don't make it up as you go

Ponder and deliberate before you make a move. 

Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans. 

The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the Ch'ang mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both. 

We cannot enter into alliance with neighbouring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country – its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides. 

Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.

WARNING: Don't attack someone just because they made you mad

No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.

INFORMATION IS KING: Don't go into battle without knowing what you're up against

What enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge. 

Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation. 

Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men. [i.e., spies.] 

Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity. 

They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. 

Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports. 

Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business.

When a general, unable to estimate the enemy's strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one, and neglects to place picked soldiers in the front rank, the result must be rout. 

He who knows things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated. 

Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient. 

HOW TO LOSE: Tell your people to do something they can't; promote incapable people; or work your team to death

There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune on his army:

• By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called hobbling the army.
• By attempting to govern an army in the same way as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of the conditions which obtain in an army. This causes restlessness in the soldiers' minds.
• By employing the officers of his army without discrimination, through ignorance of the military principle of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers.

The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and use combined energy 

When he uses combined energy, his fighting men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope; if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if round-shaped to go rolling down. 

MISCELLANEOUS: Drag yourself out of bed early -- and other tips

Now a soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is only on returning to camp. 

When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food. 

If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst. 

If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary. 

Thus the skilful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.

It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order. 

He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance. 

Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man. 

Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory:

• He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight . 
• He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. 
• He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. 
• He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. 
• He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign. 

In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. So, too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them. 

Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field. 

The good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy. 

Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer without being able to do it. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result 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.

You can buy The Art of War here, at Amazon .

Or you can read it for free, here.

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Book Review of The Art of War by Sun Tzu

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Genre : Humanities Author : Sun Tzu Title : The Art of War ( Buy the Book )

Table of Contents

Perhaps the greatest warfare novel written, The Art of War , is believed to have been written by Chinese military official, Sun Tzu, around 500 B.C. However, historians continue to debate the authority of the book as well as the very existence of Sun Tzu himself. The novel, a relic of Chinese history, was only recently introduced to Western culture when it was translated first into French and later English in the 20 th century.

Regardless of how the book came to be, The Art of War has fascinated great military minds and common men through its short proverbial literature. Sun Tzu’s book makes for a compelling and philosophical read, as its narrative is designed to provide counsel regarding internal traits related to the General, as well as external strategies and decisions made by the General in order to achieve victory over the enemy.

In addition to the commentary surrounding the qualities of the ideal General, Sun Tzu alludes to the crucial role the General plays in the State. He calls him the “ the arbiter of the people’s fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril. ”

Thus, the duty and responsibility of the General is not simply to win battles, but he determines the outcome of the State’s destiny with his every decision. The importance of his role is not to be taken lightly.

The proverbs from the Art of War can be grouped into two main categories:

• Characteristics and traits of the great General
• Keys to achieving victory in warfare

Under the description of the great General, Sun Tzu stresses the following critical qualities necessary to become successful: Awareness of Situations and Natural Surroundings, Awareness of Self and Enemy, and the specific traits of Cleverness and Wisdom.

With regard to Awareness of Situations and Natural Environment, Sun Tzu introduces the five constant factors that should be considered when observing the conditions and landscape of the field of war. These constants are:

• The Moral Law: that which causes people to be in complete accord with the ruler so they will follow their ruler regardless of their circumstances, undismayed by any danger
• Heaven: signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons; all things beyond human control and manipulation
• Earth: distances, great and small, danger and security, open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death
• The Commander: the General who stands for virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, and sternness
• Method and Discipline: marshaling of the army in proper subdivisions, rank, as well as maintenance of roads for supply and military expenditures – practical considerations

Sun Tzu believes these are the five criteria whereby the great General groups his thoughts and observations with respect to the field of battle, leading him to intentionally develop strategies and tactics for the upcoming war. All decisions in warfare should be made with careful regard and consideration to each of these factors. It is interesting to note these constants are a combination of both physical and mental characteristics, contrary to the popular misconception that warfare is merely a physical match of strength and firepower.

In light of the quality of Awareness of Self and Enemy, Sun Tzu lists seven questions the General should consider when making comparisons between his own force and the enemy. Sun Tzu states victory or defeat can be predetermined by the answers to these seven considerations.

These questions of comparison compel the General to develop an in-depth understanding of the force at his command, as well as the enemy army.

• Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral Law?
• Which of the two generals has the most ability?
• With whom lies the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?
• On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?
• Which army is stronger?
• On which side are officers and men more highly trained?
• In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?

“Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result 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.”– Sun Tzu

Arguably one of the most famous quotes regarding military tactics, ‘All warfare is based on deception’ highlights the significance of cleverness and cunning necessary for success.

Although these qualities would be ideal throughout the army ranks, it is of vital importance for the General to possess these attributes, but to also nurture and develop these skills in the army at large. Sun Tzu encourages the General to pretend to be weak so that the enemy may grow arrogant.

The true mark of a clever General is that he imposes his will on the enemy but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him. This strategy is the height of cleverness and a sure road to victory. In concurrence with the appearance of weakness, holding out traps with which to entice the enemy and feigning disorder and lack of unity is promoted.

“Scheme so as to discover his plans and likelihood of their success. Rouse him and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.” – Sun Tzu

Before elaborating on the paths to attain victory, Sun Tzu defines true victory which is to capture the enemy’s country whole and intact, not to shatter and destroy the enemy’s army and country.

“…supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.” – Sun Tzu

The reason for this is that the enemy’s troops and supplies can be used to support the conquering army, augmenting one’s own strength. In addition to the capturing of the enemy, the ‘supreme excellence’ is to break the enemy without engaging in warfare.

This proverb also emphasizes the significance of cleverness and wisdom in accomplishing victory through means outside of direct military encounters. The General’s purpose should be to attain victory, not wage lengthy and costly campaigns, out of personal spite or revenge.

Sun Tzu states the highest form of leadership is to first subvert the enemy’s plans and schemes; the second alternative is to prevent unity of the enemy’s forces; the next best option is to attack the enemy’s army in the field; and the worst plan of action of all is to lay siege to walled cities.

Sun Tzu states there are five essentials to victory:

• He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight
• He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces
• He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks
• He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared
• He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign

“Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.” – Sun Tzu

INTRODUCTION

The Art of War is perhaps the most influential manual concerning the ancient tactics of warfare ever written. Historians continue to debate whether the classic was written by a Chinese military official named Sun Tzu or if Sun Tzu even existed.

Those who refute his existence argue that, had such a brilliant military mind really lived, more would have been recorded regarding his background and conquests in Chinese history. Historians who claim Sun Tzu did exist believe he was in the service of the King Ho-lu of Wu, one of the ancient Chinese kingdoms, but very little is known about his military exploits outside of The Art of War .

Some historians think Sun Tzu did not, in fact, rise to the rank of general in the Chinese military due to the lack of historical evidence of his existence, and the opinion that such talented individuals usually do not rise above certain military ranks due to their genius. The reason such individuals would often not rise above this rank was that the emperor would feel threatened by their power and cunning.

Other historians believe The Art of War was written by a collection of other individuals within the military around approximately the same time Sun Tzu may have lived; while additional scholars think he was one of these contributors.

The military manual is believed to have been written around 500 B.C, a time known as The Warring States Period in China, when the kingdoms of Chu, Han, Qi, Qin, Wei, Yan, and Zhao were repeatedly in conflict with each other for control of the land.

Throughout this historical period, there were many advancements, including the shift from predominately chariot armies to organized armies consisting of primarily infantry and some cavalry, as well as the development of great literary works that became the basis for Chinese religious and social beliefs in the following years.

The main philosophical schools of thought at the time were Taoism and Confucianism, although the philosophy of Legalism was the central governing body under which the Qin Emperors ruled.

Although the book garnered great respect in Eastern traditions, its introduction into Western cultures occurred in 1782, when a Jesuit missionary, Father Amiot, translated the book into French.

However, the first English translation is less than one hundred years old and became widely known when Captain E.F. Calthrop published his version in 1905. Since then, various translators and historians (most notably James Clavell in 1983) have updated the translation, resulting in a more comprehensive version, which is read extensively today.

The proverbs from The Art of War can be grouped into two main categories:

• The characteristics and traits of the great General, and
• The keys to achieving victory in warfare. Sun Tzu’s book makes for a compelling and philosophical read, as its narrative is designed to provide counsel regarding internal traits related to the General, as well as external strategies and decisions made by the General in order to achieve victory over the enemy. In the book, Sun Tzu continuously references the “General” as the quintessential military leader and describes the attributes and leadership skills that he should possess.

THE TRAITS OF THE GREAT GENERAL

“The natural formation of the country is the soldier’s best ally; but a power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers, and distances, constitutes the test of a great general. He who knows these things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.” – Sun Tzu

In The Art of War , Sun Tzu describes the role and importance of the General alluding to him as “the arbiter of the people’s fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril.”

The General is the “bulwark of the State; if the bulwark is complete at all points, the State will be strong; if the bulwark is defective, the State will be weak.”

The business of the General is to “be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order” ; and to “muster his host and bring it into danger.” Sun Tzu’s description of a great General and his leadership traits spans the entire length of The Art of War and is a recurring theme in his proverbs regarding warfare strategies.

The main traits of the successful General can be grouped into the following categories: Awareness of Situations and Natural Surroundings, Awareness of Self and Enemy, and the specific traits of Cleverness and Wisdom.

AWARENESS OF SITUATIONS AND NATURAL SURROUNDINGS

The Art of War begins with perhaps one of the most recognizable phrases written regarding warfare: “The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.” Beginning with this statement, Sun Tzu outlines the purpose and rationale behind heeding his wise words.

The book immediately introduces the five constant factors that should be considered when observing the conditions and situations of the field of war. These constants are:

• The Moral Law: that which causes people to be in complete accord with their ruler so they will follow their ruler regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger
• Heaven: signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons – all things beyond human control and manipulation
• Earth: distances, great and small, danger and security, open ground and narrow passes; the odds of life and death
• The Commander: the general who stands for virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, and sternness

Sun Tzu believes these are the five criteria whereby great generals group their thoughts and observations with respect to the field of battle leading them to intentionally develop strategies and tactics for the upcoming war.

All decisions in warfare should be made with careful regard and consideration to each of these factors. It is interesting to note these constants are a combination of both physical and mental characteristics, which is contrary to the popular misconception that warfare is merely a physical match of strength and firepower.

Along with these criteria, Sun Tzu elaborates extensively on the physical conditions present on the field of battle and how those dictate strategy.

These are conditions governed by Heaven and Earth and are beyond the control of the General. They are factors that cannot be changed – they can only be adapted and twisted to the General’s advantage.

Examples of these physical situations created by Earth include the nine varieties of ‘ground,’ and situations to be recognized and utilized by the great General:

• Dispersive Ground: ground which is considered as fighting in one’s own territory – ‘home turf’
• Facile Ground: situation in which an army has penetrated into hostile territory but not to a great distance
• Contentious Ground: ground in which possession imports great advantage to either side
• Open Ground: where each side has the liberty of movement
• Intersecting Highways: ground which forms the key to three contiguous states so that he who occupies it first has most of the Empire at his command
• Serious Ground: a situation in which an army has penetrated into the heart of a hostile country leaving a number of fortified cities in its rear
• Difficult Ground: ground which is difficult to traverse: mountain forests, rugged land, and marshes
• Hemmed in Ground: ground reached through narrow gorges so that a small number of the enemy would suffice to crush a large body of men
• Desperate Ground: ground in which an army can only be saved from destruction by fighting without delay

Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of the geography/topography and physical conditions that play a factor in the method of determining the proper manner in which to conduct the battle by stating: “how to make the best of both strong and weak-that is a question involving the proper use of ground.”

Thus, the skillful General must observe the natural surroundings upon surveying the field of battle, and his duty is to develop a battle strategy based upon these factors that will be advantageous to his army.

While an understanding of the situation and natural landscape is of great importance to the General in preparing tactics, he must “be able to turn his knowledge to practical account” as Sun Tzu stresses in the development of the steps in his military method.

The order of Sun Tzu’s military methods proceeds in chronological order as follows: Measurement, Estimation of Quantity, Calculation, Balancing of Chances, and finally Victory. Each of these dimensions of warfare builds upon the preceding one making Measurement, which consists of observations based upon the Earth element of the five constants mentioned earlier, the base on which Victory is built.

Thus, the gravity of making observations regarding nature and situational advantages cannot be overstated because everything else critical to warfare is built on the basis of an understanding of the natural environment.

AWARENESS OF SELF AND ENEMY

In this proverb, Sun Tzu places great value on the knowledge and awareness the General must possess with respect to understanding his army and the enemy. It is interesting to note that Sun Tzu does not mention the outcome of warfare if the General knows the enemy but not himself.

With respect to the opening passage, Sun Tzu lists seven questions the General should consider when making comparisons between his own force and the enemy. Sun Tzu states victory or defeat can be predetermined by the answers to these seven considerations. These questions of comparison compel the General to develop an in-depth understanding of the force at his command, as well as the enemy army.

• With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?

On the topic of awareness of his own army, Sun Tzu advises the General on the treatment of his soldiers.

He encourages the General not to punish his troops before they have grown attached or acquainted with him or else they will not prove submissive – a trait of critical importance in warfare and which emphasizes a personal relationship with his troops.

However, the General should also enforce the punishments upon his soldiers once they have grown attached or they will become undisciplined in battle. Sun Tzu believes soldiers should be treated in the first instance with humanity but still kept under control through iron discipline – earning the General the respect and command of his men.

Also, Sun Tzu commands the General to “regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.” Therefore, the task of the General is to walk the fine line between treating his soldiers with kindness and mercy, while commanding their respect and obedience to his orders in war.

It is up to the General’s discernment when to respond with encouraging words or punishment when soldiers are out of line. These behaviors strengthen the Moral Law that unites and connects the bonds the General has with his forces.

Sun Tzu concludes the treatment of soldiers with this statement: “If, however, you are indulgent but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose.”

In addition to the knowledge and handling of his soldiers, there are six calamities to which an army can be exposed for which the General is primarily responsible. These consequences are the result of the General not being in tune with, and unaware of, the temperament and situations within his own army. The six calamities are:

• Flight: occurs when, other conditions being equal, one force is hurled against another ten times its size
• Insubordination: occurs when the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak
• Collapse: occurs when the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak
• Ruin: occurs when the higher officers are angry and insubordinate and, upon meeting the enemy, wage war on their own account disregarding the General’s commands
• Utter Disorganization: occurs when the General is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct, and the ranks are formed in a haphazard manner
• Rout: occurs when the General is unable to estimate the enemy’s strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, and neglects to place his skilled veteran warriors in the front rank

By highlighting the catastrophic effects of war, Sun Tzu underlines the General’s need to know the inner workings and well-being of his army and the effect his organizational structure has upon his officers and soldiers.

Sun Tzu also states three conditions the General must consider when ordering his men to attack: whether his army is in condition to fight, whether the enemy is open to attack, and whether the nature of the ground makes battle practical.

If only two of these conditions are fulfilled, then the General will only have achieved a partial victory. However, if all three conditions have been observed as true, victory can most certainly be achieved. The great General must be in tune with knowledge of himself, the enemy, and the natural ground and circumstances upon which the battle will be fought.

Along with proverbs specific to his own army, Sun Tzu also presents the General with advice specific to the enemy and their strategies: what enemy movements entail and how the manner in which the enemy moves tips their hand to reveal their strategies and objectives.

For example, the effect of enemy troops on the natural environment may cause the sudden flight of birds in the air, the rising of dust in different types of columns and heights based on troop movement and strength, and the movement of trees in forests and grass – the successful General should be alert to these natural signs.

The General is tasked with being observant of the manner in which these varying natural occurrences reveal enemy troop movement, marches, strategies, and ambushes. This task blends the different traits of the successful General: awareness of natural surroundings and situations as well as knowledge of the enemy.

The clever General does not attack the enemy when their spirit is keen but waits for them to appear sluggish and disheartened – this is called the art of studying moods.

Therefore, the brilliant and successful General is able to observe and decipher the body language of the enemy, whether they are primed for warfare or fight out of obligation and fear. This ability to accurately evaluate an enemy will shape the General’s strategy and the subsequent methods of warfare that are chosen in order to conquer the enemy.

CLEVERNESS AND WISDOM

“All warfare is based on deception. Hence, 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.” – Sun Tzu

Arguably one of the most famous quotes regarding military tactics, “All warfare is based on deception” highlights the significance of cleverness and cunning necessary for success. Although these qualities would be ideal throughout the army ranks, it is of vital importance for the General to possess these attributes, but to also nurture and develop these skills in the army at large.

Sun Tzu likens the skillful and clever General to the Shuai-Jan, a snake found in the Chung mountains of China.

It is debatable whether the Shuai-Jan snake is a mythical or real creature, but the significance of the metaphor still stands. The Shuai-Jan snake is able to recognize and respond to various scenarios thrown at it: strike at its head, and it will attack with its tail; strike at its tail, and it will attack with its head; strike at its middle and it will attack with both head and tail.

By comparing the General and his army to a living creature capable of such maneuvers, Sun Tzu highlights the importance of unity and adaptability to different situations. It is also worth noting that the head of the snake is the primary means of attacking, while the tail acts as its less deadly form of striking.

With any army, the front force that is attacking is stronger, but the back must still be capable of lashing out if the proper circumstances arise. Thus, the General should lead with his strength, or the head of the snake, while able to still strike with his rear forces or the tail of the snake.

In addition to the Shuai–Jan snake, Sun Tzu implores the General to “at first, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.”

Once again, similes are used to highlight the manner in which to act and strike the enemy.

Before the battle begins, Sun Tzu utilizes the metaphor of a maiden for the General to disguise his strengths and appear weak before the enemy. Thus, the enemy will advance and attack seeking victory over a seemingly feeble opponent, which is the time when the army should strike with the speed and quickness of a hare with the intention of catching the enemy off-guard and unaware.

Besides the metaphor of the maiden and the hare, Sun Tzu encourages the General to pretend to be weak so that the enemy may grow arrogant. The true mark of the clever General is that he imposes his will on the enemy but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him.

This strategy is the height of cleverness and a sure road to victory. In concurrence with the appearance of weakness, holding out traps with which to entice the enemy and feigning disorder and lack of unity is promoted.

In this manner, the enemy will take notice of apparent weakness and chaos – beginning the attack with arrogance and sure victory in sight, unaware of the real might and power of the General’s forces. “Scheme so as to discover his plans and likelihood of their success. Rouse him and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.” – Sun Tzu

Along with cleverness and deception, the great General must develop wisdom so that when battle arrives, he is thoroughly prepared and may be able to decide upon the best route to victory. A crucial part of wisdom is forethought and preparation heading into the battle.

A wise man is prepared for any and all situations.

Sun Tzu encourages the General to think and plan before taking action: “thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat; how much more no calculation at all!” Based on this point, Sun Tzu can forecast who will win or lose based on the amount of preparation and forethought by the opposing forces.

With respect to wisdom, Sun Tzu lists five dangerous faults which may affect the General; these are described as ‘besetting sins,’ which can be ruinous to warfare:

• Recklessness, which leads to destruction
• Cowardice, which leads to capture
• Hasty Temper, which can be provoked by insults
• Delicacy of Honor, which is sensitivity to shame
• Over-Solicitude for his Men, which exposes him to worry and trouble

Overall, these five possible mistakes can be grouped together under the category of wisdom: for a wise man is not reckless, but exudes courage, is not easily angered, and glorifies honor and his men, but not to a fault.

When loss is imminent, and the army is routed, the cause for defeat will surely be revealed in one of these ‘besetting sins.’ Sun Tzu extols these virtues as subjects of necessary meditation. Therefore, the wise General, being aware of these faults, studies their importance and is alert to them in his preparations.

“Thus, what enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge.” – Sun Tzu

KEYS TO VICTORY

“Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.” – Sun Tzu

Before elaborating on the paths to attain victory, the definition of true victory is described by Sun Tzu.

The best way to achieve victory is to capture the enemy’s country whole and intact, and not to shatter and destroy the enemy’s army and country. The reason for this is that the enemy’s troops and supplies can be used to support the conquering army, augmenting one’s own strength.

In addition to the capturing of the enemy, the ‘supreme excellence’ is to break the enemy without engaging in warfare. This proverb also emphasizes the significance of cleverness and wisdom in accomplishing victory through means outside of direct military encounters.

The General’s purpose should be to attain victory, not wage lengthy and costly campaigns out of personal spite or revenge.

Sun Tzu states the highest form of leadership is to first impede the enemy’s plans and schemes. The second alternative is to prevent unity of the enemy’s forces. The next option is to attack the enemy’s army in the field. The worst plan of action of all is to lay siege to walled cities.

In a siege, Sun Tzu compares the General’s troops to ‘swarming ants’ in an assault, with the result of the battle being a possible loss of one-third of his forces. Therefore, the wise General uses means outside of all-out warfare to pursue victory, then employs his army in an assault if necessary. Engaging in a lengthy campaign against a heavily fortified enemy is strongly discouraged.

Along with advice on the type of warfare to be utilized, Sun Tzu declares the effectiveness of a quick victory.

For if the war is long in nature, then the men’s weapons will grow dull and their spirit will be broken. In addition to the physical toll, a prolonged campaign affects troops, diminishes the resources of the nation, strains the economy and people back home grow discouraged.

The troops are disheartened; spirits are dampened, and the treasury is spent. The General must then be wary of other chieftains rebelling and taking advantage of the dire situation.

If this occurs, Sun Tzu says “then no man, however wise, will be able to avert the consequences that must ensue.” The clever and successful General wages a quick campaign with the intent of breaking the enemy’s spirit in order to achieve victory with minimal loss of life.

“In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.” – Sun Tzu

• He will win who, himself prepared, waits to take the enemy unprepared

The first three essentials for victory allude to the General’s knowledge of himself and the enemy as well as of the situation and nature surrounding the field of war.

The fourth precept stresses the importance of wisdom and preparation necessary for war so that victory can be attained through quick and decisive military action. The last proverb for victory does not fit in as well with the others, but the lesson is important nonetheless: the General should not be micromanaged by his superiors or the sovereign, who is not as aware of the military situation as the General or may have other lesser motives.

Sun Tzu touches on the relationship between the sovereign and the General later in The Art of War when he says there are “commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.”

The basic point is that the one who is most familiar with the situation and aware of what is going on should be making the critical decisions, and not an emperor far away in a distant palace. However, this does not give the General the authority to disregard every decision by the emperor, but rather to act on his own accord in the heat of battle where politics have no place.

“The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.” – Sun Tzu

Not all military tactics are based on offensive maneuvers – there are also defensive strategies designed to thwart an enemy’s assault. Specifically, Sun Tzu encourages a strong defense, one that will not allow defeat before any offensive tactics are deployed.

In this case, the army’s defense acts as a hedge against the possibility of failure by the army’s offensive assaults. Sun Tzu believes there are opportunities for victory when one takes advantage of the enemy’s mistakes, thereby ensuring their defeat.

The first priority of the General then is to make certain the defenses can hold against defeat and then wait for the enemy to give him the path through which victory can be attained. Sun Tzu states “the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.”

This statement directly contradicts common perceptions about warfare mentality, in that the initial objective of the General should be about not suffering defeat rather than winning. However, this strategy will change over time and is based on the movements made by the enemy and if those actions provide an opportunity for victory.

Additionally, the General must be able to adapt his tactics throughout the course of the battle – a static battle plan is futile against the changing status of war. Sun Tzu again uses nature as an analogy, when he states that, similar to water, an army should be changing its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows.

Water has the ability to change its form and course upon a moment’s notice when it encounters different terrain and natural surfaces.

So, an army should be fluid to the circumstances surrounding it, which is a duty the General must master in order to be successful.

“Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldiers work out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.” Military tactics should also be similar to water in its course of action in that, as water flows from high ground to low ground, it is also better strategically to strike from high places to lower places.

Sun Tzu states “he who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.” This skill is not common to the average man and is a mark of a wise and clever General with years of experience and superb leadership skills.

Sun Tzu also uses three metaphors to emphasize the need for altering tactics based on the particular situation.

He states that, while there are only five musical notes, these notes give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard. There are only five primary colors, yet, in combination, they produce more hues and mixes than can ever be seen.

Lastly, there are not more than five cardinal tastes, but these senses yield more flavors than can ever be tasted. These metaphors highlight how warfare, though simple in its base state, is of a very complex nature through the combination of different tactics.

According to Sun Tzu, there are only two methods of attack – the direct and indirect. The direct method, although not explicitly defined, is used for joining the battle, and indirect methods are necessary for securing victory.

Sun Tzu compares the use of indirect tactics to the rising and setting of the sun and moon in that when one ends, the other rises to take its place; the sun sets only to rise again the next day. These two means of attack give rise to an endless number of tactical maneuvers. The direct and indirect methods are similar to moving in a circle since it never ends – the number of combinations between these two methods is inexhaustible.

Sun Tzu’s The Art of War , one of the most significant military books ever written, describes in great length the qualities and manners in which the notable General can achieve victory. Before the war has even begun, the General must possess an understanding and awareness of the environment surrounding the battlefield so as to prepare and develop strategies conducive to the circumstances.

In addition to knowledge of the ‘playing field,’ the General must be in tune with his army and know its strengths and weaknesses; the same can be said of the enemy forces. Knowledge of these three factors and how they affect warfare are essential in the making of the General.

While these previous factors are critical to the understanding of the battle-field, it is essential that the General develops clever and wise schemes based on this knowledge. If the General then uses his knowledge in a practical manner and deploys brilliant tactics conducive to rapid strikes with fluid tactics, victory will surely be his.

“Battles are won by slaughter and maneuver. The greater the general, the more he contributes in maneuver, the less he demands in slaughter.” — Winston Churchill

“There are but two powers in the world, the sword, and the mind. In the long run, the sword is always beaten by the mind.” — Napoleon Bonaparte

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

Q1. Sun Tzu encourages the use of spies and other deceptive military methods, which translated to modern day, may appear illegal or immoral. Is Sun Tzu’s strategy, in this regard, still relevant? The United States still employs spies who live and work according to the phrase “all warfare is based on deception.” In what way can you use ‘deception’ to your advantage in a corporate setting?

Q2. Do you believe in Sun Tzu’s method of treating his army with love, such as his ‘sons’ while instilling them with discipline ( “Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons and they will stand by you even unto death”) ? If so, how do you balance these two so as not to appear weak or overbearing?

Q3. Do you believe you hold the qualities and traits outlined above that Sun Tzu deemed necessary for a great General to possess?

Q4. Do you treat business as war?

Q5. Do you believe it is possible to achieve ‘victory’ over an enemy in modern business? If so, what does this ‘victory’ look like for you and your company? Do you believe Sun Tzu’s tactics will assist you in this ‘victory’?

Q6. Sun Tzu states “too frequent rewards indicate that the General is at the end of his resources; too frequent punishments that he is in acute distress.” Is this true in a corporate setting?

Britt always taught us Titans that Wisdom is Cheap , and principal can find treasure troves of the good stuff in books. We hope only will also express their thanks to the Titans if the book review brought wisdom into their lives.

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Eternalised

In Pursuit of Meaning

Book Review: The Art of War – Sun Tzu

“The supreme act of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting” – Sun Tzu.

Fascinating book, more like a guide to perfection of war. War has been and still is the result of every conflict of humanity. It is quite amazing how advanced and way ahead of his time Sun Tzu was! To have a guide on how to defeat the enemy and for this guide to still be relevant in today’s day and age, that itself is an enormous advantage back in the day!

The book covers, most elegantly, the strategies that one ought to bear in mind for the destruction of the enemy. From the 9 different types of ground, using elements such as fire, earth, water and wind to your advantage, how to trick the enemy with spies (all warfare is based on deception), with perfect manoeuvres, the timely use of a bluff or feigning stupidity, the implementation of the utmost discipline to your soldiers and keeping them satisfied with rewards, the incredible importance that the commander-in-chief’s behaviour has on the army and on victory or defeat, how the mindset of your army changes everything, the use of birds for knowing if an enemy has occupied a certain region, if an army is doomed to certain death, their resolve with be maximum “when there is no escape, soldiers will prefer death to flight.”

Above all, rapidity – that is the essence of war. Taking advantage of the enemy’s unreadiness and making your way by unexpected routes, attacking undefended or less defended spots. Like the thunder which is heard before you have time to stop your ears against it. Plus, long delays and long wars is often associated with disaster, with the exhaustion of supplies and decay of the mindset of the solider.

The Art of War is a book attributed to Sun Tzu, who is revered as a legendary historical military figure, as well as a philosopher, and whose real name is Sun Wu. The name Sun Tzu is actually an honorary title meaning “Master Sun”.

Although the historicity of Sun Tzu is doubtable, and the book may very well have been a compilation of several scholars – we still have the privilege of possessing one of the first and most profound books ever written on strategy and war, whose principles are still used to this day due to the their importance.

The Art of War is not only concerned with modern warfare, but also spreads and influences the mindset of people in politics, games, and business.

It presents a sort of philosophy, a state of mind or psychology for managing conflicts and winning battles. It is closely tied to the philosophy of Taoism, which follows the Tao or “The Way”,  the principle of the universe to which everything is connected. It is about Yin and Yang, life and death, action and inaction – which is why the highest victory is one attained without engaging in a fight.

Main Takeaways

Chapter 1. Laying Plans

The soldier must be in complete accord with the ruler, regardless of life and death, undismayed by danger. The commander-in-chief’s behaviour can signify victory or defeat: he must be wise and benevolent, but also sincere and strict.

All warfare is based on deception. If an army is strong it must appear weak, if it is weak, it must appear strong. Feigning stupidity and the timely use of a bluff can greatly increase the chance of victory.

Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating to the enemy’s purpose.

“The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.”

Chapter 2. Waging War

War must be swift. Rapidity is the essence of war. Long delays are associated with disaster, exhausting all the supplies, leading to hunger and the decay of the will to fight of an army.

Therefore, take advantage of the enemy’s unreadiness and make your way by unexpected routes, attacking undefended or weak spots. Like the thunder which is heard before the flash of a lightning bolt.

For this, the ruler must implement the utmost discipline, an iron will, into his soldiers and keep them satisfied with rewards, essential for the motivation of the army and for having a purpose of defeating the enemy.

Chapter 3. Attack by Stratagem

The skilful leader subdues the enemy’s troops without any fighting, and he captures their cities without laying siege to them. The enemy should be eliminated strategically, leaving the civilians and city untouched and the men will be rewarded with all the enemy’s supplies.

To win, you must know when to fight and when not to fight and how to handle both superior and inferior forces. Great results can be achieved with small forces.

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result 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’ll succumb in every battle.

Chapter 4. Tactical dispositions

Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.

Chapter 5. Energy

In battle, there are no more than two methods of attack: the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of manoeuvres.

The direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory, attacking the enemy’s flank or rear.

Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.

The energy developed by good fighting men is as the momentum of a round stone rolled down a mountain.

Chapter 6. Weak points and strong

By figuring out the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy, you can be sure of succeeding in your attacks.

Sun Tzu was no believer in frontal attacks, but rather in a combination of surprise tactics such as attacking the weak points of the enemy’s camp,  splitting up the enemy’s reinforcements as to weaken their strength in numbers, and luring him so as to find out his vulnerable spots.

In essence, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.

Chapter 7. Manoeuvring

The hardship of forced marches are often more painful than the dangers of battle. Fighting with an exhausted army is a sure way to defeat, therefore – they must be only used when intended for surprise attacks within short distances.

Attack the spirit of the enemy’s army while your army’s spirit is at its highest. This is an effective way to victory.  

“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”

One thing to mention is not interfere with an army that is returning home. For a man whose heart is set on returning home will fight to the death against any attempt to bar his way, making it too dangerous an opponent to tackle.

8. Variation of tactics

The wise leader considers both advantages and disadvantages and turning a disadvantage into an advantage.

If surrounded by enemies with the only objective of retreating, the adversary will pursue and crush the army. It would be far better to encourage the men to counter-attack and use the advantage thus gained to free them from the enemy’s toils.

The art of war teaches us not to rely on the likelihood of the enemy’s not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him.

Sun Tzu explains that a general is not to be careless with the welfare of his troops, but rather to emphasise the danger of sacrificing any important military advantage to the immediate comfort of his men.

For there is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare. Therefore, the profession of arms requires a combination of hardness and tenderness.

Chapter 9. The army on the march

Be aware of your surroundings. If faced with mountains, do not climb heights in order to fight. After crossing a river, you should get far away from it and deliver your attack when half the army get across. If forced to fight in marshes, have water and grass near you and get your back where there are trees, for the ground is less likely to be treacherous.

The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an enemy ambush beneath the spot. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming. And at the same time, if birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied. This is a useful fact to bear in mind when, for instance, the enemy has secretly abandoned their camp.

Chapter 10. Terrain

With respect to terrain, high and sunny places are advantageous not only for their strategic spot, but also because they are immune from disastrous floods.

If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have only gone halfway towards victory.

If we know that the enemy is open to attack but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have only gone halfway towards victory.

And if we know that the enemy is open to attack, and also know that our men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the nature of the ground makes fighting impracticable, we have still gone only halfway towards victory.

Chapter 11. The nine situations

The art of war recognises different varieties of ground. One which is of great importance is contentious ground, that which if occupied, gives great advantage to either side. So, those in possession of it have the advantage in battle over the other side and victory will be assured.

In A.D. 532, Emperor Shen-Wu was surrounded by a great army, with his force being much smaller. Instead of trying to escape, he made orders to block all exits. As soon as his army saw that there was nothing for it but to conquer or die, their spirits rose to an extraordinary pitch of exaltation, charging with such ferocity that they defeated their enemy.

“Plunge your army into desperate straits and it will come off in safety, place it in a deadly peril and it will survive.”

In other words, throw your soldiers into positions from where there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight.

One of the most brilliant battles was carried out by general Han Xin of the Han dynasty in 204 BC. He detached two thousand horsemen from his army to hide in narrow passages, everyone carrying their flags. Then, he confronted the enemy with his men – while in battle, the horsemen made their move to the enemy’s base, tearing up their flags and replacing them with their own flags, when the enemy returned to their base, the sight of these flags struck them with terror. Convinced that their king had been overpowered, they broke up in wild disorder. Then from both sides, they were attacked and defeated.

The skilful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan (a type of snake). To strike at its head and be attacked by its tail, to strike at its tail and be attacked by its head, to strike at the middle and be attacked by both head and tail.

Chapter 12. Attack by fire

Another important attack is using fire. The prime object of attacking with fire is to throw the enemy into confusion. When starting a fire near the enemy’s camp, it must be done so on the side facing the wind for it to spread faster.

Chapter 13. The use of spies

Espionage was a common practice, since what enables victory is foreknowledge. That is, knowledge of the enemy’s dispositions, and what he means to do.

However, it is impossible to obtain trustworthy spies unless they are properly paid for their expenses. Hence one must maintain an intimate relation with spies, more than the rest of the army. And none should be more rewarded than the spies, in order to keep the secrets, which have the power of gaining a quick and effective victory.

Spies can be obtained from your own men or your enemy’s men, offering them handsome rewards in return for valuable information. In this way, you will be able to find out the state of affairs in the enemy’s city. Thereby gaining knowledge of the enemy.

Spies are a most important element in war, because on them depends an army’s ability to move. An army without spies is like a man without ears or eyes.

The different measures suited to the varieties of ground, the expediency of aggressive or defensive tactics, and the fundamental laws of human nature, are of vital importance in the Art of War.

Sun Tzu ultimately emphasised the purpose of war to give way to peace and harmony within the society.

“In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is a matter of life and death , a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected.” – Sun Tzu

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5 thoughts on “ Book Review: The Art of War – Sun Tzu ”

I found chapter 13 to be an interesting chapter as we generally think of spies in a negative light. But they can help win wars without the fighting. I have used that chapter to teach how empathy works as a “spy” to give us insight into the mind of others and allow us to see how we can help them.

That’s fascinating!! So true, empathy gives us access to the other person’s emotions. Thanks for the comment!

The first non military, plain language Bing-fa. https://shibumimanagementcanada.wordpress.com/2019/05/11/praise-for-the-school-of-sun-tzu/ Conveying the meaning and intent of the original Art of War by Sun Tzu.

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Hi greeat reading your blog

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How One Reaction to a Mural Tore a New England Town Apart

The 6,000 residents of Littleton, N.H., had found a way to coexist despite their differences — until a town official’s words set off a conflagration.

Some residents wonder if the deep rift among people in Littleton, N.H., can ever be mended. Credit...

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By Jenna Russell

Photographs by John Tully

Reporting from Littleton, N.H.

• Published April 28, 2024 Updated April 30, 2024

Few were present at the select board meeting in Littleton, N.H., last August when Carrie Gendreau, one of its members, began to talk about a mural that had recently been painted on the side of a building downtown.

Listen to this article with reporter commentary

Until that moment, it had not attracted much attention. Its subject matter — a blooming iris, dandelions, birch trees — did not seem controversial.

But for Ms. Gendreau, 62, who was also a state senator representing northern New Hampshire, the mural had set off alarms. She was certain there were subversive messages in its imagery, planted there by the nonprofit group that had planned and paid for it.

The group was North Country Pride, founded four years ago to build more visible support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the rural region.

“We need to be very careful,” Ms. Gendreau said at the meeting. She urged residents to “research” what the mural “really means,” and called for closer oversight of other public art.

“I don’t want that to be in our town,” she said.

Long before Ms. Gendreau raised her concerns, igniting an uprising against her, people in Littleton knew they did not all think alike. Half had voted for Joe Biden in 2020; half supported President Donald J. Trump. Still, they thought they had an understanding: that they would do their best to get along, often by keeping their politics or religious beliefs to themselves. This was New Hampshire, after all, where the state motto is “live free or die.”

As word spread about Ms. Gendreau’s comments, many in the town of 6,000 saw them as a jarring break in protocol.

“I was friends with Carrie,” said Kerri Harrington, an acupuncturist who had followed local government and respected Ms. Gendreau’s diligent work on the board. “I knew our politics were different, I knew she was religious, but there are a lot of religious people here.”

“This was the first time I realized she had that agenda,” Ms. Harrington said.

Ms. Gendreau, an evangelical Christian who said she got calls from as far away as Australia denouncing her in profane language after news outlets reported on her comments, clung to her convictions.

“I told them, ‘I hope God opens your vision,’” she said of her detractors. “I told them, ‘I love you, and I don’t want to fight back.’”

Ms. Harrington, 52, had helped start North Country Pride and served as one of its leaders. The group had built on the area’s longstanding reputation as a welcoming destination for gay travelers, at a moment when the pandemic had infused Littleton with a diverse influx of newcomers.

Her first instinct was to reach out to Ms. Gendreau. When they met to talk about the mural, she said, Ms. Gendreau urged her to read a book, “The Return of the Gods,” by the doomsday evangelist and best-selling author Jonathan Cahn . It warns of America’s descent into evil, citing gay rights as an example of moral decay destroying the country.

The book helped her see why Ms. Gendreau was upset, Ms. Harrington said. And it left her deeply worried about what might come next.

As in other small towns across the country, the people of Littleton had found a way to coexist despite their differences — at times by avoiding topics likely to divide them. Now, the divide was front and center. And as the anger rose, and the split grew wider, many wondered how it would ever mend.

Before she made the comments that plunged Littleton into tumult, Ms. Gendreau had occasionally injected her religious faith into municipal business. When the board hired Jim Gleason as town manager in 2021, he was startled by the words she used to offer him the job.

“God wants you in Littleton,” he recalled her saying. Not long after that, Ms. Gendreau began starting select board meetings with a prayer.

It had not been easy for Mr. Gleason to leave his home in Florida. His wife of 44 years, a teacher nearing retirement, had stayed behind. They were still grieving the loss of their oldest son, Patrick, who died of pancreatitis at age 35 in 2016.

Mr. Gleason had embraced his son when he came out as gay at 16. He had never expected open homophobia from elected leaders in New Hampshire.

Soon after Ms. Gendreau’s remarks about the mural, residents began flooding the local paper with angry letters. A local bank asked her to resign from its board of directors, she said, pointing to the “hurt” she had caused ; she complied. Encouraged by North Country Pride to raise their voices, hundreds of people showed up to condemn Ms. Gendreau’s views at select board meetings in September and October.

Many hoped she might apologize, or step down from the select board — or that the other two board members would publicly reject her views. Instead, they said little, and Ms. Gendreau doubled down.

In October, in an interview with The Boston Globe, Ms. Gendreau called homosexuality an “abomination” and warned of “twisted preferences” she saw “creeping into our community.” She also spoke out against a well-known musical about a gay couple, “La Cage Aux Folles,” that was being staged at the Littleton Opera House by a local theater group that had made the town-owned building its home for a decade.

Before the controversy, the group’s leaders had considered renovating the historic Opera House with grant money. Afterward, fearful of being censored, they resolved to build a new theater instead.

When a woman walked into Littleton’s town hall in October, echoing Ms. Gendreau’s concerns about the production and asking what would be done to stop it, Mr. Gleason did not mince words.

Nothing, the town manager said he replied — the play was protected by the First Amendment.

“She said, ‘What about my free speech?’” Mr. Gleason recalled. “And I said, ‘The way you protest is, don’t buy a ticket.’”

The woman called him “weak,” he said. Then she brought up Patrick, his son.

“‘I hope you’re happy he’s in hell,’” Mr. Gleason said she told him.

Two years into his new job, his move had seemed to be paying off. He had helped grow the town’s reserve fund and received positive performance reviews. It was the redemption Mr. Gleason had needed after his last job, in Florida, ended badly, with a heated confrontation at a meeting and charges, later dropped, that he had been physically aggressive toward a councilwoman.

Now he wondered how long he could carry on, working closely with a board member who had essentially condemned the son he had loved, in a town where it appeared her public statements had encouraged others to unleash their own intolerance.

Ms. Gendreau’s outspoken, fire-and-brimstone Christianity was something of an aberration in New Hampshire. But she was not alone in her beliefs. As a tide of criticism engulfed her, she also had supporters rise to her defense, calling out the hypocrisy they saw in the champions of inclusion who sought to silence her.

“Sen. Gendreau speaks for those stakeholders who are afraid to speak out, to stop this ‘liberal-progressive-socialist-communist-bully-ism,’” Nick DeMayo, a resident of nearby Sugar Hill and the chairman of the Northern Grafton County Republican Committee, wrote in a letter to the editor.

Roger Emerson, then the chair of Littleton’s select board, heard from some of those stakeholders, he said — people aligned with Ms. Gendreau’s views, who told him that they were cheering her on but feared being attacked if they did so publicly.

“It used to be, when someone said something you didn’t like, you would sit down and talk about it,” Mr. Emerson said, “not run to the newspapers and social media.”

Peggy Fujawa, a retired educator who knew Ms. Gendreau casually as a fellow Christian, spoke up at a board meeting in January.

Ms. Gendreau “has been dragged through fire for her beliefs, and I think that’s wrong,” Ms. Fujawa, 76, told people at the meeting. “If you want mutual respect, you need to show some of that.”

She was met with shouting, boos and insults, she said in an interview. “There was no enlightening, no sharing,” Ms. Fujawa added. “It was, ‘This is it, and you better learn to like it.’”

Ms. Gendreau had grown up in a home where she was taught that “God is the authority,” she said in a recent interview.

At her father’s urging, she attended Bob Jones University, a Christian college in South Carolina, where she served as her sorority chaplain. After returning to Littleton, she worked in insurance sales, owned a clothing store on Main Street, and taught business classes at a local college.

When a town selectman suggested that she run for office, she said, “I was scared to death.” But she had been taught to give back, she said — her father, Gerald Winn, had been the town moderator for 56 years.

She was troubled by the divide in politics, between “red and blue, people who can’t work together.” But she had always made clear that she would serve God first, and then the voters. After her election to the State Senate in 2022 as a Republican, “I told the Senate president, I will listen to my constituents, but if the Lord trumps the majority, I will go with that,” she said.

She accepted that many of her legislative colleagues would not like it when she read from the Bible she carried into debates — and she rejects the claim that it does not belong there. “Our founding fathers said we have the freedom to worship,” she said.

Ms. Gendreau said she knew, when she first criticized the mural, that most people would not understand — that the iris was a dangerous symbol because Iris was the Greek goddess of the rainbow; that children needed protection from demonic forces threatening to lead them astray.

“We only understand God’s word when we have the spirit of God in us,” she said. “They don’t get it, and I understand that.”

Still, she said, it was unfair for Mr. Gleason to link her critique of the mural to hurtful comments hurled at him by others. When she heard about the incident at town hall, Ms. Gendreau said, she reached out to the woman involved and urged her to apologize.

As people stood up at meetings into the fall and winter to tell her how her words had hurt them, Ms. Gendreau listened quietly and wrote each of their names in a notebook. In the quiet of her home, she said, she read them aloud, and prayed that God might show them the truth.

“If people could see into my heart,” she said, “they would see absolute compassion.”

To those who had assumed they knew her heart already, a probing look had not seemed necessary.

Richard Alberini, a history teacher in town for 39 years, had known her since she was in middle school and was rattled when he learned of her beliefs.

“I taught Carrie the Constitution in eighth grade,” he said. “I taught her the separation of church and state, and the reason for it in the history of the country.”

Duane Coute, too, had known Ms. Gendreau for years. Like Ms. Harrington, he had asked to meet with her after her comments blew up, hoping to understand. Instead, he said, he felt more bewildered after she described her views to him.

The affable general manager of the local Chevrolet dealership, Mr. Coute, 55, was not inclined toward politics or public disputes. But he had spent his life in Littleton and was among the business leaders who had worked hard to remake the former mill town, once in decline, into a bustling tourist hub.

As fall turned to winter, and still the select board did not clearly reject Ms. Gendreau’s comments, he could not bear to see the town’s reputation undergo such damage, he said, its fabric torn by the animosity on both sides of the dispute.

Some of Mr. Coute’s conservative friends, and some of his employees, cautioned him against leaping into the fray. He jumped in anyway, rallying more than 1,000 business people, residents and frequent visitors to the town to sign a letter he wrote with other business leaders in November imploring the board to “step back from this hurtful path.”

“This is not who we are,” the letter said. “Littleton is a vibrant, broad and inclusive community.”

The rainbow flags that North Country Pride had handed out to businesses downtown were new, but the area’s reputation for tolerance was not. It had been a destination for gay travelers since the 1980s, when the Highlands Inn in neighboring Bethlehem , N.H., began advertising itself as a “lesbian paradise” in gay newspapers around the country.

Jordan Applewhite, a transgender 40-year-old, had moved to the area four years ago and transformed a former oil change shop on the edge of downtown Littleton into a lively, L.G.B.T.Q.-friendly dive bar, forging ties with a diverse community that seemed to easily set aside differences.

“What was at stake was who we are as a town,” Mx. Applewhite said of what had happened. “It was like an existential crisis.”

By January, after weeks of reflection, Ms. Harrington decided to run for Ms. Gendreau’s seat on the select board. Mx. Applewhite signed on as her campaign adviser. Together, they made a plan to emphasize unity and a commitment to represent everyone in the community.

Mr. Gleason, the town manager, reached a decision of his own. Midway through a board meeting that month, he abruptly announced his resignation.

“I’ve had enough,” he said when a resident in attendance pressed him to explain.

Later in the meeting, after the crowd gave him a standing ovation, Mr. Gleason grew tearful. Rising to his feet, he made a final declaration: “My son,” he said, “is not an abomination.”

As the meeting drew to a close, Ms. Gendreau took the microphone. Watching from her seat, Ms. Harrington felt a rush of hope.

But instead of expressing regret, Ms. Gendreau began speaking out against acceptance of transgender people. “If a man can be a woman because he feels like one,” she said, “where does this end? Can a grown man attend kindergarten because he identifies as a 6-year-old?”

People walked out, some of them crying. “Shame on you, Carrie,” someone shouted.

On the February morning he left Littleton to return to Florida, Mr. Gleason carried a last box of mementos from his office to his truck, turned onto the highway and threaded his way south between the snowy mountains.

The deadline for Ms. Gendreau to file for re-election came and went. After prayer and reflection, she said in an interview, she had concluded that God did not want her to remain on the select board.

On Election Day, in mid-March, Ms. Harrington easily won the open seat. The townspeople also voted to expand the select board from three seats to five next year, a change sought to add diversity, and limit individual influence, in the aftermath of the discord.

Ms. Gendreau said she had no regrets: “I would rather speak out and risk persecution than say nothing and see people end up in hell.”

At her first meeting as a member of the board last month, Ms. Harrington and the other two members voted 3-0 to end the practice of beginning meetings with prayer.

Mx. Applewhite knows divisions linger in Littleton, and sees work ahead to bridge the gaps, engaging those who fear that their views will be dismissed.

“‘Religion is bad’ is not the takeaway,” they said. “We mean it when we say we want everyone to feel welcome.”

Read by Jenna Russell

Audio produced by Jack D’Isidoro .

Jenna Russell is the lead reporter covering New England for The Times. She is based near Boston. More about Jenna Russell

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