This book is stylistically similar Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People – but the topics could not be more different.  Both authors provide advice – but Carnegie is persuading and cajoling, whereas Sun Tzu deals with situations when physical confrontation is required.

In this first chapter, Sun Tzu is not telling how plans are created – but rather talking about the role of planning and the role of everyone involved with planning.  He’s not telling the reader “How to plan”, but instead is saying, “Planning is important because of all these reasons.”  Further, he elaborates dimensions of planning, violence and warfare and sets up the rest of the book – even if that was not necessarily the historical structure of the text.

Best Quote(s)

“Thereupon Sun Tzu said: “The King is only fond of words, and cannot translate them into deeds.”” Location 55

Those in power are not necessarily those who understand how to act with power.

“25. Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.” Location 105

Preparation can lead to victory, a lack of preparation will certainly lead to defeat.

Page by Page / Screen by Screen

All numbers refer to Amazon Kindle locations – not page numbers.

055

“Thereupon Sun Tzu said: “The King is only fond of words, and cannot translate them into deeds.””

064

“3. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one’s deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions”

077

“10. These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.”

084

“13. By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.”

084

“14. The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer:—let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat:—let such a one be dismissed!”

090

“16. According as circumstances are favourable, one should modify one’s plans.”

098

“20. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.”

“23. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.”

105

“25. Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.”