Sun Tzu On the Art of War?

Question

Who has read this book? i think it is very enlightening and some of it even applies to daily life. What are your thoughts about it?

Answer 1

Hello, I myself have read this book and analyse it for the past 3 years at least and like you I have found it enlightening. There are three main areas in modern times that Sun Zi Art of War is still applicable and they are military, business and life.

Being a Chinese, this is one of the military works that I am really proud of, but alas when I am reading some of the translated works I find the English translation did not capture the full essence of it. I recommend reading the translated version from Prof Wee Chow Hou. His is the best translation I have found as yet.

I am passionate about applying Sun Zi Art of War into business so much so that I have started my own website on it. And I can say I have internalise the teaching of Sun Zi into my everyday life.
For example, Sun Zi said, "The ability to prevent defeat lies on oneself while the opportunities of victory depend on the enemy. Thus those who are adept at warfare can ensure that they will not be defeated by the enemy, but will not be able to ensure victory over the enemy." Which means in our own life, we are responsible to prevent 'defeat'.

Sun Zi Art of War is the starting work that inspire me to read other works by Ancient Military Strategist.

These are my thoughts : )

Answer 2

I would advise all of the above, especially Commentaries by Cao Cao and The Book of Five Rings, I would also like to add Romance of the Three Kingdoms, while most of it is romanticized and more fictitious than practical, it's a good read and illustrates many strategies used in war, especially Zhuge Liang's, he is the epitome of thinking outside of the box, my favorite strategy of his is borrowing arrows, so simple, and I can see that working well in real life, it isn't the strategy that helps, it's the concept and mindset. If you're smart, you'll understand the words, but to understand the meaning and concept you must have the mind and personality of a philosopher. *this is a great question, all of the wiser martial artists on here are all answering with equally great answers, I'd advise you to read all of the books here.

Answer 3

Like you I have read it and found it enlightening. I think it should be required reading for every political leader and they should also be required to pass a test on the book to make sure that they understand it before they are allowed to take office.

Answer 4

That it should be required reading and study at the military academies as much of it has been violated with subsequent problems for the military that could have been circumvented if they knew more of the book besides the title.