Sun Tzu – The Art Of War 3.4

The rule is, not to besiege walled cities if it can possibly be avoided. The preparation of mantlets, movable shelters, and various implements of war, will take up three whole months; and the piling up of mounds over against the walls will take three months more.

Sun Tzu’s Art of War is a timeless classic that has stood the test of time as a treatise on military strategy and tactics. In Chapter 3, Sun Tzu talks about the importance of not besieging walled cities unless it is absolutely necessary.

Sun Tzu explains that besieging a walled city is a time-consuming and resource-intensive task. It can take up to three months to prepare the necessary equipment and another three months to pile up mounds against the walls. During this time, the enemy can gather its forces and launch a counter-attack.

Sun Tzu argues that the best way to defeat an enemy is to avoid a direct confrontation whenever possible. The highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy’s plans, to prevent the junction of the enemy’s forces, or to attack the enemy’s army in the field. By doing so, you can catch the enemy off guard and take them by surprise, making it easier to defeat them.

Sun Tzu’s advice on avoiding the siege of walled cities has implications beyond military strategy. In the modern world, it is often better to avoid confrontation and find alternative ways to achieve your objectives. Whether in business or personal life, taking a direct approach can lead to unnecessary conflict and wasted resources.

Instead, Sun Tzu advises us to be patient and to look for creative solutions to our problems. By avoiding the siege of walled cities, we can conserve our resources and increase our chances of success. This approach requires discipline, foresight, and a deep understanding of our objectives and the resources at our disposal.

In conclusion, Sun Tzu’s advice on avoiding the siege of walled cities is an essential lesson in military strategy and a valuable reminder of the power of patience and creative thinking. By following his advice, we can increase our chances of success in any endeavor we undertake.