Introduction
“In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.” (Tzu, 2021, p. 7).
There is a large amount of literature that, in addition to the concepts mentioned in the title, delves more deeply into aspects of human life. “The Art of War” is an example of such a book, which, in addition to touching on the topic of war and its proper conduct, also provides for discussion of topics such as life foundations and principles. The study of this literary work provides valuable insight regarding these critical indicators. Thus, the Art of War provides a unique vision of strategies and tactics that can be applied to win war battles and solve a problem in society, in business, and in everyday human life, which determines the value of its study and analysis.
Relevance of the Book
Despite the fact that the book under discussion was written quite a long time ago, it still has great relevance. Research stated that Sun Tzu, the author, was “believed to have lived from 544 BC to 496 BC during the Spring and Autumn period in China” (van Emde Boas et al., 2007, p. 12). Often, most readers perceive this book as a guide to the conduct of military operations and what measures can be most effective in this context. With a closer and deeper examination, several valuable ideas can be identified that can be applied in the context of everyday life.
Lessons from the Book
Complete Understanding of Circumstances
The central lesson that is provided in the book “The Art of War” and is traced throughout the work is the importance of achieving victory based on a complete understanding of the circumstances. In other words, individuals can achieve success if only they understand all possible factors of influence and take the necessary measures, and do not rely on brute force or fate. So, from this main argument comes a statement on the importance of planning and strategy in any business. This aspect concerns both the conduct of military operations, which require much organization and doing business. This knowledge should also include awareness of oneself as a person’s abilities and characteristics of the enemy.
Flexibility and Deception in Strategy
Another important idea that can be highlighted from the Tzu book is the need to be flexible and deceptive. In his work, the author points out that the latter has value in distracting and confusing the enemy. This action implies the intention to confuse the enemy, but deception should be treated very carefully and thoroughly so as not to harm yourself in the future. At the same time, the concept of flexibility is an indicator of warfare, which is more relevant for both war and ordinary life. The ability to adapt to the circumstances in a timely and effective manner can give significant advantages both at the front and in the constantly changing conditions of business or other fields of human activity.
Leadership and Management
The last, but no less critical component that will ensure victory in the war, highlighted in the book, is leadership and management. Tzu (2021) indicates that these characteristics are critical for the development of motivation, discipline, and community among people. The same can be attributed to such activities as business or work activities, which involve managing a collection to achieve a common goal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the book “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu highlights the importance of following specific strategies and tactics to achieve victory in the war. Among the most valuable ideas presented in the book can be highlighted the importance of understanding the conditions and circumstances, the features of oneself and the enemy, organization, leadership, management, and flexibility. These features can also be used outside of military operations, but for example, in business or everyday life. Thus, the perfect victory, according to the author’s opinion, becomes the one that was gained by practical and thoughtful actions.
References
Tzu, S. (2021). The art of war. Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd.
van Emde Boas, P., van Emde Boas, G., Xie, K., & Zhao, B. (2023). Sun Tzu and the Art of War. In Analyzing the Logic of Sun Tzu in “The Art of War”, Using Mind Maps (pp. 11-21). Springer Nature Singapore.