Chapter 1: Evaluation
War is very important for the State and can mean life or death. On the other
hand, the conflict determines the preservation or loss of the Empire.
Therefore, it is necessary to know every detail well and know how to handle
the situation.
In this chapter, Sum Tzu discusses five fundamental factors to consider in a
conflict: the road, the weather conditions, the terrain, the authority or
command, and discipline. These elements must be mastered by each general
if he wants to achieve victory.
Likewise, this chapter focuses on the importance of evaluating the enemy,
recommending knowing its strengths and weaknesses.
Chapter 2: The Initiation of Actions
This chapter warns of the importance of knowing the quantities and the cost
that the military campaign will entail.
If the main objective of the war, victory, takes too long to arrive, morale may
drop and resources may be depleted. So, it is useless for a campaign to go on
too long.
So, the leader's strategy must be to weaken the enemy and deprive him of
food to supply his own.
Chapter 3: The positions of victory and defeat
It is important to combat the enemy's plans and, above all, not to allow an
alliance between adversaries. The best war strategy is to impact a state and
not ruin it.
You should never attack in anger and in a hurry. This requires good planning
and coordination.
The strategy is to win without fighting, without besieging cities and not
spending too much time on it. To achieve success, it is necessary to attend to
five fundamental aspects: the attack, the strategy, the alliances, the army and
the cities.
Chapter 4: Measurement in the provision of means
It is essential to have the ability to ensure invincibility and to know the
enemy's flaws in order to defeat him at his weakest moment.
So, it is important to know the flaws of the adversary. In this sense,
commanders must be prepared to establish a good base of defense and not to
make mistakes. Also, you have to know how to detect opportunities to defeat
the enemy.
Chapter 5: Firmness
This chapter explains how every good leader is able to defeat the enemy if he
creates a favorable perception (strength of momentum) for his army. The
intelligent combatant achieves his victory without resorting to force.
In this way, disorder must be feigned to distract opponents. However, in order
to mislead the enemy, an order must first be planned. Only then can you
create an artificial mess. Just as if you want to feign cowardice, you must first
know courage and, if you want to appear weak, you must first know strength.
Chapter 6: I fill it and empty it
A good warrior makes the enemy arrive last on the battlefield. Only in this way
will your combatants be in a rested position, while your opponents will arrive
exhausted.
In war you have to be subtle, discreet and silent and try to appear in critical
places to attack the adversary where he least expects it.
The army must seize any moment of enemy weakness as an opportunity to
attack.
In a battle, only one who has an aptitude favorable to change and can adapt to
the enemy will be able to win, since in a conflict there are no fixed and
permanent circumstances.
Chapter 7: The direct and indirect confrontation
In this chapter he explores direct (armed) and indirect confrontation. Avoiding
armed conflict is important, but not always achievable. Therefore, when it
arises, it is essential to know how to control the confrontational situation.
In a battle it is very important to know the terrain conditions to be able to
maneuver and fight. The art of war also lies in being able to mobilize huge
masses of men.
Likewise, a good strategy is to distract the enemy so that he cannot know
what the real situation of your army is.
Chapter 8: The Nine Changes
It is essential that generals know the different variables to take advantage of
the terrain and understand how to manage their army.
A smart leader objectively analyzes the benefit and the harm. If you consider
the benefit, your choice expands. If you examine the damage, your problems
will be resolved. Also, a good general has to be able to adapt to any situation
that arises.
The author mentions five traits that are dangerous in generals:
1. Those who are willing to die can lose their lives.
2. Those who want to preserve life can be taken prisoner.
3. Those who are given to irrational infatuations can be ridiculed.
4. Those who are very puritanical can be disgraced.
5. Those who are compassionate, can be knocked down.
Chapter 9: Media Distribution
All military maneuvers are the consequence of plans and strategies
established in advance. As the army moves through new scenarios, it is
important to take into account the situations that arise and to know how to
correctly interpret the intentions of the adversaries.
The author also indicates that if the enemy approaches with humble words, he
may be up to something. Never trust the adversary even if he proposes a truce.
Chapter 10: Typology
In this chapter Sun Tzu mentions six ways to be defeated, which can occur if a
general is not sufficiently prepared:
1. Do not calibrate the number of forces.
2. The absence of a clear system of rewards and punishments.
3. Insufficient training.
4. irrational passion.
5. The inefficiency of the law of order.
6. Not selecting the best soldiers.
Chapter 11: The Nine Kinds of Terrain
This chapter focuses on describing the different types of terrain or situations
that can occur in a military campaign and how to gain an advantage.
Thus, Sun Tzu distinguishes between nine "terrain types": scattered, light,
encrypted, communication, intersection, difficult, unfavorable, fenced and
deadly.
Chapter 12: The art of attacking by fire
This chapter explores the use of weapons and the five types of fire attacks.
Thus the author lists what can be burned:
1. People.
2. Supplies.
3. The team.
4. Warehouses.
5. Weapons.
It also caters to how fire should be used in different attacks. In war you not
only have to know how to attack but also how to avoid being attacked.
Likewise, it is important to act when the best conditions are given, it should
never be done out of anger or provoke a war out of anger.
Chapter 13: On Concord and Discord
The last chapter of the book focuses on the importance of spying on the
enemy for information.
The use of espionage makes a brilliant ruler or a wise general. Also, this
practice is essential during military operations.
Thus, the author distinguishes five types of spies: native, internal, double
agent, liquidable and floating.
Finally, Sun Tzu states that if a general knows how each type of espionage
works, victory will be assured.
