All warfare is based on deception.

(From Essay I) This is the most popular quote and is often used to summarize the entire book. While Sun does argue that deception is very important, he also stresses the need for planning, understanding of nature, foreknowledge, and organization. The statement that “war is deception” arises from his insistence that manipulating and surprising the enemy will often grant military success with far fewer lives and resources lost.

Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of the trigger.

(From Essay V) In this metaphor, Sun Tzu examines two concepts. The first, the bending of the crossbow, compares the stored kinetic energy of the crossbow to the resources available to a leader. This could take the form of various types of soldiers (cavalry, archers, footmen), the tools necessary for a fire attack, a force lying in wait to ambush, etc. The decision—releasing the trigger—refers to how effectively can one employ the “stored energy.” If one does not follow the rules of using a fire attack, it might be wasted. If a leader does not understand the geographic circumstances before a battle, a chariot charge will be very costly. The availability of the resources is important, but the knowledge, experience, and confidence to choose the right time and location are equally important.

If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and Earth, you may make your victory complete.

(From Essay X) The components of the first statement are discussed at length throughout the book. It is essential to know the particulars of the enemy force as well as the capabilities and limitations of one’s own force. If a leader has a thorough understanding of both, they should be victorious. The second statement, regarding Heaven and Earth (weather and topography of a battlefield), are necessary components for a “complete victory.” In several instances, Sun Tzu states that a superior leader will have very decisive victories, as opposed to prolonged battles and campaigns. The understanding of battlefield conditions will allow for much more decisive victories.

If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.

(From Essay XI) Sun Tzu points out that soldiers are often without money and do not live very long. This is not because they do not wish for wealth or do not want to live long lives. The two are related. Soldiers often spend their money because they fear they will not be alive long enough to spend it. It is a very different outlook than most leaders/generals would have (quite the opposite). Sun Tzu includes this contrast so that leaders will better understand their soldiers.

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

(From Essay XI) A leader needs to understand the enemy’s goals to be able to subvert them. Instead of being reactionary, an effective leader will force an enemy to be decisive, and will have planned for that outcome ahead of time. Sun Tzu regularly states that a leader should attack where the enemy is weakest, avoid where the enemy is strongest, and altogether make decisions where there is an obvious advantage. By knowing what the enemy is trying to do, or even influencing it, a leader can stay several steps ahead.

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