Only 14 points are made in this chapter and it is made up of few pages, screens and swipes.  Sun Tzu builds on his biggest points from earlier chapters – Strategy is the logical outcome of knowing your strengths and your opponents weaknesses.  Your goal is to win, but to do so you must not lose.

Best Quote(s)

2. … Do not linger in dangerously isolated positions.

Page by Page, Screen by Screen, Swipe by Swipe

27

“2 When in difficult country, do not encamp. In country where high roads intersect, join hands with your allies. Do not linger in dangerously isolated positions. In hemmed-in situations, you must resort to stratagem. In a desperate position, you must fight.”

28

“12 There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general:
(1) Recklessness, which leads to destruction;
(2) cowardice, which leads to capture;
(3) a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults;
(4) a delicacy of honour which is sensitive to shame;
(5) over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble.”

Washington was not subject to any of Sun Tzu’s five weaknesses. More impressive even – is that he lived at a time where the English translation of this work was still +100 years away.