- CEJames & Alfonz Ingram & Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu’s The Art of War emphasizes the importance of swift and efficient warfare, arguing that prolonged conflict drains resources, weakens the state, and diminishes the chances of victory. His philosophy on the length of war can be summarized through key passages, which I’ll reference and elaborate upon below.
1. The Costs of Prolonged War
In Chapter 2 (Waging War), Sun Tzu warns against the dangers of extended campaigns:
“There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.”
(The Art of War, Chapter 2, verse 6)
Sun Tzu argues that war should be resolved quickly to avoid excessive burdens on the state’s economy, resources, and people. A prolonged conflict leads to exhaustion of both the military and the civilian population.
2. Resource Management and Efficiency
Sun Tzu further elaborates:
“When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men’s weapons will grow dull, and their ardor will be dampened. If you lay siege to a town, you will exhaust your strength.”
(The Art of War, Chapter 2, verse 3)
This verse emphasizes that the longer a war lasts, the more likely it is for troops to lose morale, equipment to degrade, and overall effectiveness to diminish. Sun Tzu highlights the importance of efficient use of resources and energy to maintain momentum and morale.
3. Strategic Speed as a Virtue
In Chapter 11 (The Nine Situations), Sun Tzu advocates for swift decision-making and execution:
“Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy’s unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions.”
(The Art of War, Chapter 11, verse 19)
This principle underscores the importance of rapid action in war to catch the enemy off-guard and achieve decisive outcomes without unnecessary delays.
4. War as a Tool of Governance
Sun Tzu views war as a necessary but costly tool that must serve political objectives without undermining the state’s stability:
“In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.”
(The Art of War, Chapter 2, verse 7)
The ultimate goal of war is to secure victory and achieve political objectives efficiently. A prolonged conflict risks squandering the benefits of victory and destabilizing governance.
5. Consequences of Delays
Sun Tzu also discusses the indirect costs of extended war:
“If the campaign is protracted, the resources of the State will not be equal to the strain.”
(The Art of War, Chapter 2, verse 4)
He highlights the danger of war draining the state’s financial and material reserves, leaving it vulnerable to internal disorder or external opportunism.
Summary of Key Principles
• War should be short and decisive. Prolonged conflict is counterproductive and harmful.
• Efficient resource use is critical. Overextension depletes morale, supplies, and strength.
• Speed and decisiveness lead to success. Quick action catches the enemy off-guard and minimizes unnecessary costs.
• Victory, not attrition, is the goal. The aim is to achieve strategic objectives swiftly to secure long-term stability.
These insights are foundational to Sun Tzu’s philosophy of warfare and have influenced military strategy for centuries. His lessons emphasize the balance between preparation, strategy, and execution to avoid unnecessary suffering and ensure lasting success.
Look to current state of affairs and recent historical conflicts and one can readily see they all have failed miserably to achieve swift, efficient and complete victory putting us in a state seen today of chaos, economic desperation and social divergence.
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