Sun Tzu – The Art of War 8.11

The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy’s not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.

Sun Tzu’s The Art of War is one of the most celebrated treatises on warfare, offering timeless wisdom on how to achieve victory in any conflict. In Chapter 8, Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of being prepared for any situation and not relying on the enemy’s likelihood of not attacking.

Sun Tzu argues that it is not enough to hope that the enemy will not come or attack. Instead, a wise leader must always be prepared for any scenario and should focus on making their position unassailable. This means taking proactive steps to ensure that their troops are well-trained, equipped, and in a strategic location that is easy to defend.

One way to make your position unassailable is by focusing on reducing the strength of the enemy. Inflicting damage on the enemy chiefs, making trouble for them, and constantly engaging them can make it difficult for them to launch a successful attack. By holding out specious allurements and making the enemy rush to a given point, the wise leader can further disrupt the enemy’s plans and gain an advantage.

Sun Tzu also stresses the importance of being flexible and adaptable in warfare. The art of war is not simply about relying on one fixed strategy but rather about understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each plan and being able to adjust as the situation requires. This means being able to vary your tactics and constantly re-evaluating your plans to ensure that you are making the best use of your resources.

In conclusion, Sun Tzu’s advice in Chapter 8 of The Art of War emphasizes the importance of being prepared for any scenario, reducing the strength of the enemy, and being flexible in your tactics. A wise leader must always be ready to receive the enemy and focus on making their position unassailable. By following these principles, one can increase their chances of achieving victory in any conflict.

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