Shock, Awe, and Preparation – Sun Tzu's Art of “Taking Whole”

Sun Tzu knew the great costs and evils of war, particularly prolonged wars. So he reserves his greatest praise for the general who is able to avert battle in the first place, who can “subdue the enemy without fighting”.

However, if preventing conflict is not possible, the next greatest skill is to ‘take whole’ or achieve victory with the minimum loss to life and property.

Such a leader “causes the enemy's forces to yield, but without fighting, he captures his fortress, but without besieging it; and without lengthy fighting takes the enemy's kingdom”.

The key is to build up momentum, then strike hard and either conquer or get away quickly. The wise general works constantly to channel his soldiers’ combined energies into a single powerful force that can achieve this.

“Like the well-judged flight of the falcon, in a flash crushing its quarry, so should the stroke be timed” - Sun Tzu

When your forces begin to surround the enemy, Sun Tzu counsels, “allow him an outlet” to escape. Push him into a corner with no chance of retreat, and he will fight with the desperation of one who has nothing to lose.

‘Taking whole’, as opposed to the shattering of a foreign kingdom through brute force, can be achieved. But it requires brilliant strategy and timing, great forethought, planning and knowledge.

It is always a mistake to rely on assumptions about the enemy’s positions and plans. Real confidence comes from knowing that your own positions are unassailable, and only then deciding to go into battle.

In hindsight, the victor is always seen to be the one who made the most calculations prior to conflict. By practicing the way things may go, you are much less put off course by a change of events in the heat of battle.

Sun Tzu says in relation to preparation and readiness: “If the condition of both sides with regard to these matters be known, I can foretell the victor.”