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IV. Tactical Dispositions

In this essay, Sun Tzu starts by describing the difference between victory through defeating the enemy, and not being defeated. It is the leader’s responsibility to avoid defeat. This is determined by planning and effective action. Sun Tzu states that defeating one’s opponent is “provided by the enemy himself.” One secures victory by exploiting the opponent’s weaknesses and/or mistakes. An effective leader will excel at both of these responsibilities. He also states that “the skillful fighter makes defeat impossible, and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy.”

Read more about Main Idea #3: One should not seek to destroy the enemy to find victory.

The second half of the essay is concerned with five parts of military method, which rely on one another in sequence: Measurement, Estimation of quantity, Calculation, Balancing of chances, and Victory. “Measurement” refers to understanding the physical properties of the battlefield (Earth). “Estimation of quantity” relies on effective measurement of one’s own forces and the enemy’s position and condition. “Calculation,” the applied mathematics of engagements, casualties and resources, relies on effective Estimation of quantity. “Balancing of chances” relies on understanding what factors should be considered outside of those in Calculation. “Victory” is a result of finding advantage in the Balancing of chances.

V. Energy

In this essay, Sun Tzu describes efficiency and efficacy of decisions. “Energy” broadly refers to the application of resources, but the term “Energy” is only briefly mentioned in the second half of the essay. In the first half, direct and indirect tactics are mentioned. Direct tactics are those that are obvious decisions and require little subterfuge (e.g. attacking the enemy head-on). Indirect tactics are those that have some element of guile (e.g. attacking the enemy’s flank with a previously hidden force). Several analogies are used to describe the myriad of combinations available when combining direct and indirect tactics. As examples, he states the limited number of musical notes and the infinite songs possible; the many colors that can be produced from the primary colors; and the many flavors that exist by combining the “five cardinal tastes.”

In the second half of this essay, Sun Tzu states that “Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of the trigger.” The comparison is one of available resources (the readied crossbow bolt), and application of the resources (choosing what to shoot with the crossbow, and when to shoot). This applies to available soldiers as well as supplies. The essay closes with another analogy, which says that soldiers are like logs or round stones. Intrinsically, they want to remain still, but if they are given momentum, especially in a large group, they will be a devastating force. Overall, this essay contains the most figurative language, using mostly metaphors and analogies, and is probably the most difficult to conceptually grasp.

Read an explanation of an important quote (#2) about energy.

VI. Weak Points and Strong

In this essay, Sun Tzu describes the importance of choosing when to attack and leveraging advantages when planning engagements. If one can force an enemy to hurry to the battle, they will be disorganized and exhausted. One should attack enemy locations that are undefended, especially if the enemy is entrenched in a defensible position, for they will be forced to move troops to relieve the other position(s). By keeping the targets of one’s attacks a secret, the enemy will have to plan for defense at many locations and use their resources inefficiently.

Conversely, Sun Tzu advises to “conceal your dispositions.” If leaders can hide their strengths (available resources, tactics, preferred battlegrounds), then the opponent cannot abuse their weak points in the same way. He also advises not to repeat the same tactics: one should act like water that flows according to the circumstances. Sun Tzu closes the essay by describing elements of Heaven to demonstrate that the circumstances of two different battles will never be identical.

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