Between the Covers | Sun Tzŭ and “The Art of War”: Timeless Wisdom for Chaotic Times

Amidst threats to U.S. democracy, the 5th century BCE text, Sun Tzŭ’s The Art of War, presents timeless wisdom for these chaotic times.

When I was in my early thirties, I went through my Taoist phase soon after finishing my Master’s in Vocal Performance degree at the Peabody Institute, and I was newly married. I faced many challenges: starting and building a career, pure financial survival, creating a strong relationship, and uncertainty. Years later, I’m repeating the same actions.

Taoist principles provide helpful advice for achieving this and preserving mental health. I am not a Taoist per se, but I do not see a conflict between it and my current spiritual beliefs. If anything, it helps define them.

Taoist philosophy profoundly influenced Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, focusing on strategy, adaptability, and harmony principles. It emphasizes balance, flexibility, and alignment with the natural flow of the universe. These beliefs provided a framework for Sun Tzu’s ideas on warfare.

Adaptability and Flexibility:

“Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness.” This refers to taking on the characteristics of being fluid, like water; not weak in one’s actions, but adaptable.

Balance and Opposites:

“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.” For instance, feigning weakness or defeat, luring the enemy into a vulnerable position. Once the enemy believes they have the upper hand, regroup and counterattack.

Non-Action (Wu Wei):

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” Suppose opponents try to “divide and conquer” to weaken and prevent building a strong coalition against them. In that case, the opposition uses the opposite strategy, “unite and conquer,” to unite diverse groups.