# III: Attack by Stratagem explained — The Art of War

> Chapter companion for The Art of War by Sun Tzu.

## What happens

Sun Tzǔ emphasizes that the supreme excellence in war is to subdue the enemy without fighting, advocating for stratagem over direct confrontation. He outlines the hierarchy of generalship, the dangers of besieging cities, the importance of knowing when to fight, and the five essentials for victory, culminating in the famous maxim of knowing oneself and the enemy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Stratagem

The chapter's core teaching is to break enemy resistance without fighting, using stratagem to achieve victory.

### Self-Knowledge and Preparation

The famous conclusion emphasizes knowing oneself and the enemy as the foundation for success.

### Leadership and Discipline

The general is described as the bulwark of the state, and the chapter warns against rulers interfering with military command.

### Economy of Force and Minimal Bloodshed

Supreme excellence is defined as capturing the enemy intact and avoiding the slaughter of one's own men.

## Character check-ins

### Sun Tzǔ

Author and primary voice of the chapter, presenting the principles of attacking by stratagem.

## Key lines

> Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

Winning every battle through combat is not the highest skill; the greatest achievement is to overcome the enemy without any fighting at all.

_This is the central thesis of the chapter, defining the ideal of stratagem over brute force._

> If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

When you understand both your opponent and your own capabilities, you can face any number of conflicts without anxiety.

_This famous maxim encapsulates the importance of self-awareness and intelligence in warfare._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/iii-attack-by-stratagem
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters