Synopsis
Chapter 1 of Sun Tzu's Art of War, establishing that war is a matter of vital importance to the state and introducing the Five Fundamentals framework.
Original Text
Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.
The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one's deliberations: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.
Overview
"Laying Plans" is the opening chapter of The Art of War and serves as the foundation for the entire work. Sun Tzu presents two core arguments:
First, war is the most critical matter of state survival and must be studied with utmost seriousness.
Second, he proposes the "Five Fundamentals" framework for strategic analysis.
| Five Factors | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The Moral Law | The unity of purpose between the people and their leaders |
| Heaven | Weather, seasons, and timing |
| Earth | Distance, terrain, and strategic position |
| The Commander | The general's virtues: wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, strictness |
| Method and Discipline | Military organization and logistics |
Third, the doctrine of deception. "All warfare is based on deception" is one of Sun Tzu's most famous assertions.
Twelve Methods of Deception
| Method | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Appear incapable when capable | Feign weakness when strong |
| Appear inactive when active | Pretend not to attack when you will |
| Appear far when near | Make the enemy think you are distant |
| Appear near when far | Make the enemy think you are close |
| Offer bait to the greedy | Lure enemies who seek advantage |
| Strike the confused | Attack when the enemy is disorganized |
| Prepare against the strong | Be ready when the enemy is well-prepared |
| Avoid the powerful | Withdraw when the enemy is stronger |
| Provoke the angry | Agitate enemies who are easily angered |
| Flatter the cautious | Make the careful enemy arrogant |
| Tire the rested | Exhaust the enemy when they are at rest |
| Divide the united | Create discord among allies |
About the Author
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Sun Wu (c. 545-470 BC) |
| Courtesy Name | Changqing |
| Dynasty | Late Spring and Autumn Period |
| Identity | Military strategist, from the state of Qi, later served the state of Wu |
| Work | The Art of War, 13 chapters |
Cultural Impact
The principles from "Laying Plans" — "Know yourself and know your enemy," "Attack where they are unprepared," "Appear where you are not expected" — have been applied far beyond military contexts, influencing modern business strategy, sports, and political negotiation.
References
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_War
2.古诗文网: https://www.gushiwen.cn/ - Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/孙子兵法
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