Table 5.1.Thematic contents of theArt of war.
Chapter Contents and themes
No. of
characters- Assessments a. The mission of war.
b. Five factors: theDao(the ruler’s
benevolence and the confidence of his
people), heaven (weather), earth (terrain),
the quality of command, and the rules and
regulations of the army.
c. Generals to create strategic advantage for
gaining victory.
Key sentences: It is he who masters them (five
assessments) that wins and he who does not
that loses. Attack when they are unprepared
and make the move when they do not expect it.
336- Waging war The main objective of a war is quick victory;
a prolonged war is disastrous. A wise general
replenishes his troops with supplies and
captives from the enemy.
Key sentence: The commander who knows
how to conduct a war is the arbiter of the
people’s fate, the man on whom the nation’s
security depends.
342- Attacking by
stratagem
a. Taking the enemy whole and intact by using
stratagem and diplomacy before attacking.
b. Three ways a sovereign can bring disaster to
the army.
c. Five factors for predicting winning.
Key sentences: Those skilled in war subdue the
enemy without fighting, capture the enemy’s
cities without assaulting them, and overthrow
the enemy’s kingdom without protracted
operations. The side that has a capable
commander who is free of interference from
the sovereign will win.423- Disposition a. Strategic generals make themselves
invincible and then wait for the enemy’s
moment of vulnerability.
b. Gaining overwhelming advantage over the
opponent.
309Strategic leadership of Sunzi in theArt of war 147