Page plan · 11 pages

Written for: General readers new to classical strategy texts

1. 1

   Sun Tzu's Art of War in eleven cards, after Giles (1910)

   • This deck picks eleven ideas from Sun Tzu's Art of War, a classic Chinese text on strategy.
   • We follow Lionel Giles's English translation, published in 1910.
   • Each card takes one lesson and explains it in plain language.
   • No background in military history is needed to follow along.
2. 2

   War is a matter of life and death to the state

   • Sun Tzu opens by saying war is a matter of vital importance to the state.
   • In Giles's wording, it is the road either to safety or to ruin.
   • Because the stakes are so high, war must never be entered into carelessly.
   • The lesson for new readers: strategy begins with taking consequences seriously.
3. 3

   The five constant factors: Moral Law, Heaven, Earth, the Commander, Method

   • Sun Tzu names five constant factors to weigh before any campaign.
   • The Moral Law means the people share their ruler's purpose and trust him.
   • Heaven and Earth cover timing and conditions, and terrain and distance.
   • The Commander stands for wisdom, courage and discipline; Method covers organization and supply.
   • Compare the two sides on each factor to judge who is stronger.
4. 4

   All warfare is based on deception

   • Sun Tzu states that all warfare is based on deception.
   • When able, appear unable; when active, appear inactive.
   • The aim is to shape what the enemy believes, so he misjudges your real strength.
   • Read it as a point about managing perception, not a call for dishonesty in daily life.
5. 5

   Many calculations before the battle win it

   • The general who wins has made many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought.
   • The general who loses has made few, so planning separates victory from defeat.
   • Sun Tzu says careful comparison of the two sides lets you foresee the result.
   • The takeaway: most of the contest is decided by preparation, not by action on the day.
6. 6

   No country has gained from prolonged warfare

   • Sun Tzu warns that no country has ever benefited from prolonged warfare.
   • Long campaigns blunt weapons, dampen morale and exhaust the treasury.
   • A drained state also invites attack from its neighbors.
   • So he prizes speed and prefers a clumsy swift victory to a long, polished campaign.
7. 7

   Breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting

   • Sun Tzu calls breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting the highest excellence.
   • Winning a hundred battles is not the pinnacle of skill.
   • The best strategy attacks the enemy's plans before it comes to open combat.
   • This saves lives, resources and the very thing you hoped to gain.
8. 8

   Know the enemy and yourself, and fear no hundred battles

   • Sun Tzu says that if you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear a hundred battles.
   • Knowing only yourself means each victory is matched by a defeat.
   • Knowing neither means you will lose every fight.
   • The lesson is honest self-assessment plus good information about your rival.
9. 9

   First put yourself beyond the possibility of defeat

   • Sun Tzu advises first putting yourself beyond the possibility of defeat.
   • Then wait for the moment when the enemy can be beaten.
   • Security is in your own hands, while victory depends on the enemy's mistakes.
   • The practical idea: build strong foundations before seeking gains.
10. 10

    Military tactics are like unto water

    • Sun Tzu compares military tactics to water, which flows from high ground to low.
    • Water shapes its course to the ground it meets; an army should shape its method to the enemy.
    • There are no constant conditions in warfare, so no fixed formula works every time.
    • The lesson is to stay flexible and adapt to circumstances.
11. 11

    Reading Sun Tzu today, outside the battlefield

    • Many readers apply Sun Tzu's ideas to business, sport, negotiation and personal planning.
    • Preparation, self-knowledge, adaptability and avoiding needless conflict carry over well.
    • Remember the text was written for war, so treat analogies with care.
    • Reading Giles's 1910 translation, expect dated phrasing but durable questions about strategy.