Hello Everyone, yesterday I posted the first part of this series. I'm happy that it got feedback in the comments, and I have some free time, so I've decided to write part 2/13. (Please Note that I typed everything myself, and did NOT copy any online sources, however this is based on the Giles 1910 translation which is in the Public Domain.) Here is Waging War.
[Image Source: pixabay.com, License: CCO Public Domain]
Art of War original text
cmp2020 commentary
Waging War
1. Sun Tzu said: In the operations of war, where there are in the field a thousand sand swift chariots, as many heavy chariots, and a hundred thousand mail-clad soldiers, with provisions enough to carry them a thousand li, the expenditure at home and at the front, including entertainment of guests, small items such as glue and paint, and sums spent on chariots and armor, will reach the total of a thousand ounces of silver per day. Such is the cost of raising an army of 100,00 men.
This states every advantage has a disadvantage. Sun Tzu uses the example that having 100,00 men shows strength, but to supply these men you need to pay 1,000 ounces of silver per day. (Real world example: Big enterprises have big expenses.).
2. When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men's weapons will grow dull and their ardor will be damped. If you lay siege to a town, you will exhaust your strength.
Do not wait too long to pursue your goals. If you wait too long opportunity will be missed, and you will exhaust your resources. (Real world example: Don't put off writing a review on The Art of War until 7:52 at night. By the time you're done your energy will be drained).
3. Again, if the campaign is protracted, the resources of the State will not be equal to the strain.
Again if you take too long, you will run out of a sufficient amount of resources.
4. Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardor damped, your strength exhausted and your treasure spent, other chieftains will spring up to take advantage of your extremity. Then no man, however wise, will be able to avert the consequences that must ensue.
Once you've delayed too long on following through on your plan, surely someone else, with the same goal will take the same opportunity and defeat you. Nothing can stop this, it will happen. (Real world example: You have been meaning to ask someone you like on a date, but every time you get the chance you don't. Eventually someone who is braver than you will. It is unavoidable.
5. Thus, though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.
Sometimes you can act too quickly, that is stupid as well, but long delay has never been considered clever. (Real world example: In chess you do not blaze down the middle right away, but you also don't delay. When you see an opportunity to put your opponent in check mate, you take it).
6. There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.
No country has ever benefited by going to war all the time. (Real world example: The Nazis, Rome, Mesopotamia. All of these nations went to war, and tried to dominate too many other countries).
7. It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.
Only those who understand war, can understand how to gain from it. (Real world example: Even though congress declares war, really the generals advise what to do in combat for the United States).
8. The skillful soldier does not raise a second levy, neither are his supply-wagons loaded more than twice.
Only do what is required of you, nothing more, nothing less.
9. Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy. Thus the army will have food enough for its needs.
Use what you have, but also find resourceful ways to gain assets. (Real world example. Leave your mellophone at school if you don't plan to practice so that you don't have to carry it on the school bus).
10. Poverty of the State exchequer causes an army to be maintained by contributions from a distance. Contributing to maintain an army at a distance causes the people to impoverished.
If you do not have sufficient funds to maintain what you have. Those who maintain it will not be content.
11. On the other hand, the proximity of an army causes prices to go up; and high prices cause the people's substance to be drained away.
High prices cause substance to go down. (Real world example: Supply and demand).
12. When their substance is drained away, the peasantry will be afflicted by heavy exactions.
As you focus your resources on one problem, another problem may require your resources and attention. (Real world example: Instead of practicing the piano, you write a review of The Art of War, then you realize you have a performance to prepare for on Friday).
13, 14. With this of substance and exhaustion of strength, the homes of the people will be stripped bare, and three-tenths of their income will be dissipated; while Government expenses for broken chariots, worn-out horses, breast-plates and helmets, bows and arrows, spears and shields, protective mantlets, draft-oxen and heavy wagons, will amount to four-tenths of its total revenue.
Focusing your resources towards one problem will result in what you cherish being neglected, and ill-maintained. Focus on the problem at hand, then focus on what you cherish after you solve that problem. (Real world example: Practice the piano, and do Steemit when you're done).
15. Hence a wise general makes a point of foraging on the enemy. One cartload of the enemy's provisions is equivalent to twenty of one's own, and likewise a single picul of his provender is equivalent to twenty from one's own store.
Instead of using your own resources, trick your opponent into funding his own downfall. This sparks hope amongst the ranks, and inspires your army. (Real world example: In dodge ball, rather than focusing on throwing people out, focus on catching the ball. You get your teammates back in, and your enemies out. This raises your team's respect for you).
16. Now in order to kill the enemy, our men must be roused to anger; that there may be advantage from defeating the enemy, they must have their rewards.
In order to accomplish a goal, one must first have others behind them. Make other people thirst to see you succeed. To do this show them they will benefit by your success. (Real world example: What I wrote in Steemit for noobs "The other part of your job is commenting, and trying to get people to like your content and want you to succeed. . .")
17. Therefore in chariot fighting, when ten or more chariots have been taken, those should be rewarded who took the first. Our own flags should be substituted for those of the enemy, and the chariots mingled and used in conjunction with ours. The captured soldiers should be kindly treated and kept.
18. This is called using the conquered foe to argument one's own strength.
Those who start something should be rewarded the most. Don't be afraid to show that you are the one who did something. (Real world example: The Declaration of Independence: it uses principles that nearly every American agrees with, but only those who wrote it signed it).
19. In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.
Always be focused on your main goal, and the fastest way to achieve it. (Real world example: In football, the goal is always to score a touchdown. You decide what plays to use based on how much the other team is creaming you, and how their defense sets up).
20. Thus it may be known that the leader of armies is the arbiter of the people's fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril.
Remember you do depend on others. Whether in times of prosperity, or destitution. (Real world example: Even though Steem has lost most of its original value, authors don't give up. They push through because they believe in the ideals, values, and precedents that Steemit has created).
Thanks for reading this! Please leave feedback about what you thought of my commentary. It might not seem like a lot, but writing this whole thing was very tedious. Make sure to follow me to see the next part of the series. Part 3 Attack by Stratagem.
Also remember to check for: My weekly 7 post, and my weekly piano performance of Christmas pieces