The Art of War: A New TranslationThe Art of War is more than just a ancient Chinese war manual: It is a store of wisdom that answers the perennial question, How are we to act effectively within a never-ending flow of change? The living quality of Sun Tzu's strategic masterpiece has never been clearer than in this simple, bold new translation. The result is text that provides us with an understanding of how to achieve victory over war--how we can win without fighting--in practical terms that anyone can apply to conflicts in our everyday lives. This new edition includes engaging essays and commentary to deepen the reader's understanding of how to apply Sun Tzu's insights in modern day life. In The Art of War, Sun Tzu teaches us how to overcome our adversaries without destroying them. The essence of this approach lies in the concept of "taking whole"--bringing the opponent into one's own sphere. How can readers apply this wisdom? If they assume the perspective of the Sage Commander, noting the conditions of every conflict, then skillful action becomes apparent in any given situation. Original essays and commentary clearly articulate this perspective. Awareness of the present moment, the translators show, holds the key to implementing Sun Tzu's principles in our daily lives. "Develop an intimate understanding of the text as a living practice," they advise. "Then, like its earlier lineage holders, we can move outward into our world and act." |
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action all-under-heaven appraisals arises attain victory await bamboo text become bring called setting fire century BCE ch'i chaos Chapter chariots Chinese Chinese language Chuan Chu conflict Confucian contending for advantage counting rods create crossbow death ground deception defeat defend Dorje Kasung earth employing the military enclosed ground enemy's extraordinary feudal lords five forces Four Emperors general's half of victory heaven hundredweight junction ground kinship knowing oneself knowledge lineage manifest means meant by spiritlike method of employing mountain move multitude nature nine grounds one's orthodox patterns perspective positioning the army qualities rely rocks round rocks ruler sage commander sage commander's seek shih situation skilled at battle skilled at employing soldiers sovereign spies standard text strategy strength strike Sun Tzu T. E. Lawrence taking whole text says things sell dearly thousand jen three armies tradition translation troops turned spy vincibility whole is superior wisdom words Yellow Emperor