Welcome to a special edition of the Strategic Sunnah newsletter where we’ll explain the masterpiece of military strategy: The Art of War.
Written 2,500 years ago by Sun Tzu, a celebrated Chinese general, The Art of War is a concise read yet full of strategy and wisdom still relevant to this day. This series will show you how to apply the lessons in your life so you can:
Plan strategically
Prevent conflicts before they arise
Resolve conflicts when they do arise
Turn problems into solutions
Be proactive instead of reactive
Act with patience, courage and wisdom
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Part 4—Formation
Sun Tzu said:
The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
Like previous chapters, you might think the title is referring to specific tactics in a battle. But you should know by now the Art of War is a book of deeper strategies.
Formation is about being in the best position whether you are defending and attacking. It’s about always being in a position to win—so you can become invincible.
Sun Tzu mentions the fighters of old to tell us the pursuit of strategic positioning is a timeless principle.
Positioning yourself beyond the possibility of defeat means being well prepared and having the knowledge and placement of all the factors mentioned in previous chapters.
But this doesn’t mean you should immediately attack as soon as you feel you are in a strong position. You must also wait for the enemy to go in the opposite direction.
Wait for them to be weak in their preparedness, resources and organisation… where you are strong in the factors of war, wait for them to become weak in them.
This then means the leader and his people who adhere the strictest to their Moral Law and are firmly disciplined in improving and maintaining in preparation are the ones who become “invincible”. Wait on your enemies’ lack of discipline by being the most disciplined of all in all aspects.
Your level of discipline is in your hands. Your enemies’ discipline is not.
The lesson here is never look to the enemy for a standard to beat. Strive for excellence so you become the standard.
Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.
Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.
Just because you’re well prepared, it doesn’t mean your enemy isn’t.
Ticking all the boxes at your end is not a guarantee of victory. The strategic thinker is patient enough to wait for factors at the enemy’s end to work against them.
This is akin to having the luxury of choosing your battles. Have you ever felt you can’t seem to avoid conflict? Do you feel things always go wrong at work, at home, in your goals?
This how these first chapters apply in your life. Laying plans and calculations, having a Moral Law, seeking the most strategic approach… these are like the general who puts himself beyond the possibility of defeat.
It’s called being proactive: taking things in your own hands.
You can’t control what your enemy (or challenges you face) do. You can only control how well you can position yourself and then wait for opportunities when you can take action.
You can be as angry as you like about Palestine. You can enumerate all the resources and abilities of the enemy. It won’t make a difference.
But you are in charge of what is within your influence. You can quietly prepare and improve and build… so when the time comes, you are in a strong position to do something big.
Hence the saying mentioned by Sun Tzu. You can be the smartest, toughest or simply on the right side of an argument… but it does’t guarantee victory unless your enemy is ready to be defeated.
Some people don’t budge even when you prove them wrong. It’s why even if the world is on the right side when it comes to Palestine, the enemy does not relent. Some battles simply aren’t worth it. Patiently work on yourself while you wait.
Security against defeat implies defensive tactics; ability to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive.
Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength.
Being defensive of offensive can both carry negative connotations. It can mean you’re feeling defensive because you’re too weak or afraid to do anything. Or it can mean you’re too aggressive so you’re always on the offensive.
Instead, choose defense or offense based on strategy. For example:
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