# The Art of War explained — The Art of War

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

## What happens

This foundational chapter introduces Sun Tzǔ's treatise on military strategy, emphasizing the critical importance of planning, deception, and understanding the five constant factors (Moral Law, Heaven, Earth, the Commander, and Method and Discipline) for success in warfare. It establishes the principle that all warfare is based on deception and that a wise commander calculates and prepares before engaging in battle.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Stratagem

The chapter opens by stating that all warfare is based on deception, urging commanders to feign incapacity, activity, and proximity to mislead the enemy.

### Self-Knowledge and Preparation

Emphasizes the importance of knowing oneself and the enemy, and of careful calculation and planning before engaging in battle.

## Character check-ins

### Sun Tzǔ

Author and primary subject of the treatise; presents the core principles of military strategy.

### Ho Lu

King of Wu who tested Sun Tzǔ's principles and later appointed him as general.

### Tsʽao Kung

Later commentator who wrote the first known commentary on Sun Tzǔ's work.

## Key lines

> All warfare is based on deception.

Every military operation relies on trickery and misleading the opponent.

_Core principle of the chapter, establishing deception as the foundation of strategy._

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

Complete understanding of both your own forces and the enemy's ensures victory in every engagement.

_Key aphorism highlighting the importance of self-knowledge and intelligence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters/the-art-of-war
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_art_of_war_se/chapters