Sun Tzu – The Art of War 5.4

That the impact of your army may be like a grindstone dashed against an egg—this is effected by the science of weak points and strong.

Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is a timeless classic that continues to be relevant even in modern times. One of the important aspects of warfare that he talks about in his book is the use of strategic maneuvers to gain an advantage over the enemy. In particular, Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of identifying weak points and strong points to ensure that the impact of the army is like a grindstone dashed against an egg.

In Chapter 5, Sun Tzu writes, “That the impact of your army may be like a grindstone dashed against an egg—this is effected by the science of weak points and strong.” This quote highlights the importance of identifying and exploiting the weak points of the enemy’s army while protecting the strong points of one’s own army. This strategy not only ensures victory, but also minimizes the losses in one’s own army.

Sun Tzu emphasizes that the key to identifying weak points and strong points is to study the enemy’s army and terrain thoroughly. The use of spies is also an important aspect of gathering intelligence about the enemy. Once the weak points are identified, the army should be maneuvered to attack those points, while the strong points are protected.

The science of weak points and strong also includes the use of deception and feints to mislead the enemy. By appearing weak in one area and strong in another, the enemy can be lured into a trap, allowing the attacking army to gain the upper hand.

Sun Tzu’s emphasis on the science of weak points and strong highlights the importance of strategy and planning in warfare. It emphasizes the need to be proactive rather than reactive, and to always stay one step ahead of the enemy. By identifying and exploiting weak points, an army can achieve victory with minimal losses, making it a key principle in the art of war.