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Art of War – Chapter 2.3
Sun Tzu argues that one must recognize war’s harms to grasp its benefits. Wise generals source weapons at home and seize grain from enemies. Long-distance grain transport drains civilian and national resources severely in wartime.
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Art of War – Chapter 2.2
Sun Tzu argues prolonged warfare wears down troops, drains national resources and invites rival invasions. He insists swift victory is always preferable, for no long war can ever bring lasting benefits to a state.
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Art of War – Chapter 2.1
This opening part of The Art of War’s Chapter Two illustrates the huge daily costs of raising a large army. Sun Tzu reminds rulers and generals that warfare drains resources heavily, warning against prolonged military campaigns.
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Art of War – Chapter 1.7
Sun Tzu emphasizes pre-war deliberation in ancestral temples. Ample thorough plans secure victory, while inadequate ones lead to defeat. Without any planning at all, defeat is inevitable, so we can easily predict the final outcome.
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Art of War – Chapter 1.6
Sun Tzu states warfare relies on deception. He lists various deceptive tactics to mislead, lure and weaken foes. Striking the enemy off guard is the core winning secret, which must be kept strictly confidential.
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Art of War – Chapter 1.5
After adopting favorable war plans, commanders should build favorable momentum. Sun Tzu defines momentum as flexibly adjusting tactics and making timely decisions based on existing advantages to support military operations.