The Reflection

The Art Of War becomes a reflection of the humans soul. The book speaks in terms if war, but if one examines, it can be interpreted differently. All the chapters of the book cover a facet of combat chronologically, starting with preparations, organization, combat, and so on, later deepening into the being “effective” at always winning. One may think that eventually it is a reflection of our soul but related to any kind of human organization.
As armies prepare for battle, learning, training, having discipline and receiving orders, humans do building ourselves for life when we are infants. We need innovative, intelligent and able leaders to redirect our societies, armies as well need them. Combat can be interpreted as life, against us and others in the path to happiness and succeeding. At battle we need to kill our opponent as fast and effectively as possible, understand the means to kill him, and to deal with our resources. We need to establish firm leaderships for an organization of our armies and to preserve liberty and authority.
When fighting we desperately call for some tools. As how to prepare the battle literally, explained in the book as “planning a siege.” Strategic fighting becomes our fullest and most important advantage on war, we have to manage the conditions we have or create our own positive conditions. Finally we have to know how and when to attack and defend, as there is only the appropriate time for everything. I call on these words to be true, for the welfare is inside, “Military action is important to the nation - it is the ground of death and life, the path of survival and destruction, so it is imperative to examine it.” –Master Sun, page 1, The Art Of War.

The Great Warrior

The bible within other ancient texts hold some inscrutable messages very beneficial to the human race. Told in parables (in the case of the bible) or in an orthodox and direct way, which are very difficult you understand. In the case of violence messages are recurrent, and are simpler than other in different topics. The delimitation of good warriors is very often, as in the bible, David, being loyal to God, or Enkidu in the Epic Of Gilgamesh, in The Art Of War it translates a “good warrior” as a cleaver and courageous individual, always having present the “Way” and “Formation”.
As in the bible the best and most efficient warrior isn’t the strongest, the story of David and Goliath, in chapter, 17 of the sacred book of Samuel demonstrates forth the teaching. The invincibility is explained by Zhang Yu as, “Making yourself invincible means knowing yourself, waiting for vulnerability in opponent means knowing others.” (Tzu-Cleary. Pp56) it is a matter of an inner-psychological journey, well for one to see others he has to know who is one. The probable reason, causing few to be successful, it is very difficult to acknowledge you own defects.

Strategic Assessments

The third chapter of the book has left us with many issues and even doubts. As the conclusion refers, again, very important pillars of war. Which one can base his prediction of the victorious. The pillars are said by Master Sun as:
“So there are five ways who will win. Those who know when to fight and when not to fight are victorious. Those who discern when to use many or few troops are victorious. Those whose upper and lower ranks have the same desire are victorious. Those who face the unprepared with preparation are victorious. Those whose generals are able and are not constrained by their governments are victories. These five are the way to know who will win.” (Tzu-Cleary. Pp 51)
To take action on any war is not only a problem, but as well a very complicated procedure. To win a war becomes even impossible without properly organizing our human resources. The “best way” becomes pressuring once opponent until such a point were he surrenders. Avoiding deaths and other loses becomes highly inflictive deciding the real winner. Battles aren’t measured by the number of soldier but by their capacity and the leader’s of guiding a big or small army. As there is only one way of assuring victory by numbers, as explained, “So the rule of the military is that it you outnumber the opponent ten to one , then surround them, five to one, attack; two to one, divide.”(Tzu-Cleary. Pp42) The way of the “Tao” regarding war, becomes the finishing of the opponent when he doesn’t even exist. Always, be prepared and attack before they know you did. The generals are the leaders of the army, if they are skillful surely thy nation will win. They have to be just, human and rewarding, as filling those one shall be victorious.

How Worthless

The biggest wars ever fought, leave horrifying statistics, impoverished nations, and after all, no positive result at all. The Art Of War hinders the classical objective of battle. It raises an underlining question, what is worth? According to this ancient text, it wasn’t, as it follows the traditional saying, “the best fight is the one which isn’t fought.” The common interpretation infers simply avoiding fights, although, in the book it is rather understood as being efficient on every aspect regarding the destabilization of once foe, creating a fast surrender. “The best policy is to use strategy, influence, and the trend of events to cause the adversary to submit willingly.” (Tzu-Cleary. pp 33.)
The real fight the leaders have to battle is to avoid deaths, prolongation, and sustaining. wars are always very long, those leading should base their strategies on the quick finishing of it. The financial sector will be the most affected, as explained by Master Sun, “When resources are exhausted, then levies are made under pressure. When power and resources are exhausted, then the homeland is drained. The common people are deprived of seventy percent of their budget, while the governments expenses for equipment amount to sixty percent of its budget.” (Tze-Cleary. Pp 27)
In conclusion wars for the past millenniums have been exceedingly stupid and inefficient. Crating millions of death, and loses. Again, where they worth it?

The classical

The Art Of War, is one of the most prestigious and influential ancient eastern texts. It assumes conflict as an inevitable part of life, and forth, constructs a wise strategy towards victory. The dealing of a conflict wisely and honorably, makes the book the guide to a victorious ending without even fighting. Understanding politics, philosophy, science, economics and physiology of combat strengthen the words, and prepare the paragraphs. War becomes the foremost important assets of a stable and organized nation, well it becomes a matter of simple continuance, as said by Sun Tzu, “Military action is important to the nation –it is the ground of death and life, the path of survival and destruction, so it is imperative to examine it.” (Tzu-Cleary, pp 1).
A state shall measure the combat on five different pillars as stated on The Art Of The War “the five things are the way, the weather, the terrain, the leadership and discipline.” (Tzu-Cleary, pp2). The “way” explains the disposition of the people for battle, or the coherent proper relation of shared aim, between the ruler and its people. The weather and climate have no further interpretation that the logic one, and until the day, commonly understood. The leadership paraphrases, to the rulers attributes and intentions (probably the most discussed) , how he manages the social and political conditions and so forth. At last discipline fulfills the logical, although until now, lacking presence military side. The preparation and training of the soldiers and finally the number of them involved.
The strategic assessments for battle are rooted in the human condition, it resumes as a long-lasting game, were intelligence stands as the decisive judge, and veredict. Being humble, being attentive and last but not least, the “tire them by flight.” Make the perfect and victorious page.