Anybody who read Sun-Tzu's "The Art of War"?

Question

Please tell me what is the biggest learning lesson you observed in it.

I can read the book on my own or go to Wikipedia but just really busy for all that. Those who've read already please share whatever you LIKED best about it.

Waiting for some really good answers.

Cheers

Answer 1

Well, if we really want to 'force' the essence of Sun Zi Art of War, it would be this quote below.

"He who knows his enemy and himself well will not be defeated easily. He who knows himself but not his enemy, will have an even chance of victory. He who does not know himself and his enemy, is bound to suffer defeat in all battles."

I think applying this to our life needs great wisdom but once we keep on remembering to apply it in our life, we would really benefit a lot from it.

Answer 2

Like Machiavel (Prince), same perception - but in different layer.

Sun Tzu just explained using method about battle tactics. Talking about terrain, psicology and inteligence instead courage (foolish).

People ofte needs mataphores to understand their own lifes and use Sun Tzu from Business to personal life... but at the end, its just a matter to understand where you are, what are your goals and try to keep distance from discourse, focusing in reason.
Or perhaps obvious is so hard to see that people need view from other complete different perspective to understand own context.

Its all about context. Without Moral or Complex Sofisms. Just naked true above all. ... something like Nietzche said or Kant would say during his work regarding power.

Sun Tzu is quick to read and first pages will give to you the tone about it. ... but you will enjoy more if you use your rational mind to bring it to your reality.

Answer 3

According to an old story, a lord of ancient China once asked his physician, a member of a family of healers, which one of them was the most skilled in the art.

The physician, whose reputation was such that his name became synonymous with medical science in China, replied, "My eldest brother sees the spirit of sickness and removes it before it takes shape, so his name does not get out of the house,

"My elder brother cures sickness when it is still extremely minute, so his name does not get out of the neighbourhood. "As for me, I puncture veins, prescribe potions, and massage skin, so from time to time my name gets out and is heard among lords."

The Art of War
translated by Thomas Cleary

The above anecdotal story sums up the to great extent the spirit of the book. Subtle is that significant that usually goes unnoticed in the ordinary eyes, but not in the eyes that can see. The Art of War is a book, in my view, that sensitise the mind about the significance of things that are normally considered unimportant, and even meaningless. A good warrior for instance, would never engage in a military conflict until he has already secured victory for himself, as all battles are won even before their are fought. The wisdom is characteristically Oriental, at times, reading the book, you can feel subtle but effective touches of a chines paint brush on the mind.

Answer 4

Looking at his performance in Afghanistan Obama certainly hasn't

Answer 5

High ground wins in a battle.
Another lesson is don't depend on things you don't know, like strangers answers.
AND
STOP BEING LAZY

NOW GO READ THE BOOK!

Answer 6

Instead of reading the book, listen to the audio version.

My father uses Audible.com which is affiliated with Itunes to download the audio version of his books. they are cheap and easy to use. (Don't purchase it from Banres & Noble unless your willing to pay more.)

Answer 7

Do not underestimate your opponent. Follow every move and consider every detail.

And of course, don't fight battles that you cannot win.

Answer 8

When given lemons, make lemonade. i.e. work with what you've got.