Most readers (and many translators) completely miss the point of the ancient “Art of War.” Yes, it’s a series of essays about military tactics and strategy, but the ultimate purpose of the book is to teach the reader not how to conquer an external enemy, but to overcome the demons within oneself.
On a more superficial (and equally interesting) level, the lessons of “The Art of War” can be applied to all of our current military and social conflicts. For example, Sun Tzu describes how the ultimate military formation is formlessless. You can’t fight an enemy you can’t find, and whose organization you can’t pin down. Sound a little bit like “The War on Drugs” or “The War on Terror?”
Read the bit about how maintaining foreign wars leads to economic problems and civil unrest at home, and wonder why nobody thought to share those thoughts with George Bush’s puppeteers.
The bottom line of “Art of War” is that the ultimate victory is one achieved without bloodshed. The “art” of war is avoiding the need for it in the first place. That lesson is as timeless as it is profound, and one well worth learning and applying to life.
You have to be a Gaia member to post reviews. Join now!
Most readers (and many translators) completely miss the point of the ancient “Art of War.” Yes, it’s a series of essays about military tactics and strategy, but the ultimate purpose of the book is to teach the reader not how to conquer an external enemy, but to overcome the demons within oneself.
On a more superficial (and equally interesting) level, the lessons of “The Art of War” can be applied to all of our current military and social conflicts. For example, Sun Tzu describes how the ultimate military formation is formlessless. You can’t fight an enemy you can’t find, and whose organization you can’t pin down. Sound a little bit like “The War on Drugs” or “The War on Terror?”
Read the bit about how maintaining foreign wars leads to economic problems and civil unrest at home, and wonder why nobody thought to share those thoughts with George Bush’s puppeteers.
The bottom line of “Art of War” is that the ultimate victory is one achieved without bloodshed. The “art” of war is avoiding the need for it in the first place. That lesson is as timeless as it is profound, and one well worth learning and applying to life.