Sun Tzu – The Art of War 6.5

Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.

Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” is a timeless classic that is still relevant in modern times. One of its most notable teachings is on the importance of deception in warfare. In chapter 6, Sun Tzu highlights several strategies that a clever combatant can use to deceive and manipulate the enemy.

One of these strategies is to appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend. This means that the clever combatant should try to identify key locations that the enemy values and then create the illusion of an attack on those locations. By doing so, the enemy will be forced to deploy its resources to defend those locations, leaving other areas vulnerable to attack.

For example, if the enemy has a critical supply depot in a particular location, the clever combatant might create the illusion of a large-scale attack on that location. This would force the enemy to deploy troops to defend the depot, which would then leave other areas of the enemy’s territory vulnerable to attack.

Another strategy highlighted by Sun Tzu is to march swiftly to places where you are not expected. This means that the clever combatant should try to identify areas where the enemy does not expect an attack and then strike quickly before the enemy has a chance to respond.

For example, if the enemy has concentrated its forces in one area, the clever combatant might launch a surprise attack on an area that is not as heavily defended. This would catch the enemy off guard and create confusion, allowing the clever combatant to gain a strategic advantage.

Overall, these strategies emphasize the importance of deception and surprise in warfare. By appearing where the enemy does not expect and creating illusions of attacks, the clever combatant can manipulate the enemy’s resources and gain a strategic advantage. These teachings are still relevant in modern times, and can be applied not only in military strategy but also in business, politics, and other fields where competition and deception are present.