All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.Go here to read the introductory post to the verses of The Art of War.
~ from The Art of War, Giles translation ~
Monday, November 22, 2010
Chapter 1, Verses 18 and 19 - Sun Tzu
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Rewording this without the military lilt and you have Taoism.
ReplyDeleteThis verse makes me wonder what came first. Like you I am no scholar and have no time machine but this says either that the Chinese always carried this "Tai Chi, Yin-Yang" idea or that Sun Tzu is taking Taoist ideas to the military issues of the day.
That "taiji, yin/yang thing" almost certainly predates Sun Tzu or Lao Tzu...it's Yellow Emperor/ Yijing stuff.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I take a very traditionalist view; some will not agree. It's just how my teacher taught me.
ReplyDelete