August 13, 2019

📚 Book Notes: The Art of War

This book has a different format. The content is in the form of bullet points spread across 13 chapters. It's quite short (less than 100 pages). I'd give it 4/10 because there wasn't an Aha! moment for me.

Here are my notes from The Art of War:

1. All warfare is based on deception.
   Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
   Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
2. There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.
3. To lift an autumn hair is no sign of great strength; to see the sun and moon is no sign of sharp sight; to hear the noise of thunder is no sign of a quick ear.
4. Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.
   Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.
5. When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

If you liked the above content, I'd definitely recommend reading the whole book. 💯

Until We Meet Again...
🖖 swap