Mencius (1)

Mencius, the tag-along philosopher to Confucius, takes center stage in the "Mencius," where he recounts his sassy dialogues with kings, dukes, and anyone else willing to join his ancient philosophical party. From Confucius's theories of jen (goodness) and yi (righteousness) to Mencius's own spin on achieving harmony with mankind and the universe, it's like a self-help book for ancient souls. With views on subjects, rulers, and the evils of war, Mencius creates a Confucian orthodoxy that's been intact since the third century BCE.

Pros:
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Mencius, um sábio duas gerações após Confúcio, tem aqui seus pensamentos relatados, mas apesar do interesse em algumas de suas posições, o todo chafurda na grande quantidade de anedotas mencionando personagens da China antiga, sem desenvolvimento, e que resultam muitas vezes em conselhos práticos ou de conduta, sem maiores pensamentos do que uma ética que valoriza muito a família, a reverência aos mortos e os rituais funéreos e a tradição, usando a retórica dos "bons tempos". Pontos de interesse: o ser humano teria em si como característica fundamental o humanismo, um caráter bom e de respeito para com os outros, que só precisa ser cultivado, e especialmente o governo deve governar dando exemplo. Os reis que o fazem, governando para o povo, só se beneficiariam com isso, adquirindo prosperidade. De fato, se o rei mostrar seu bom caráter, inspirará o povo a segui-lo nesse bom aspecto (cultivar a música, ser diligente etc), de modo que seguirão bons tempos. A virtude faria, afinal o povo submeter do fundo de seus corações, com alegria, ao governo, e tudo ficaria bem sob os céus.… (altro)

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

Why I picked up his book: I read this as a teen, really enjoyed it from the very beginning to the end and wanted to revisit it.

Here is the PDF for the full summary. https://www.getstoryshots.com/books/the-art-of-war-summary/

History: Twenty-Five Hundred years ago, Sun Tzu wrote The Art of War. This classic military strategy book is based on Chinese warfare and military thought. Since that time, all levels of the military have used the teaching of Sun Tzu. Since then, many have adapted these teachings for use in politics, business, and everyday life.

The most critical factor to a winning strategy is in the planning stage. You must calculate your strengths and weaknesses against the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses. Only then can you properly decide if it is advantageous to attack, stay put, or flee.
The best offensive move to victory is to psychologically destroy the enemy before the actual war occurs and take them over in peace with no killing necessary. Take their mind and heart out, and the enemy has no chance.

Chapter 1: Laying Plans

He outlines the five fundamental factors associated with war: moral influence, weather, terrain, command, and doctrine.

Weather and Terrain

Command and Doctrine

Chapter 2: Waging War

There are several factors that generals have to ensure are accounted for before combat. Otherwise, failure is guaranteed due to a lack of decisive speed:
* Hunger
* Thirst
* Attachment to accumulated loot
* Outrage at an injustice

Chapter 3: Attack by Strategy

Sun Tzu provides a list of tactics that can be adopted during the war in order of preference:
1. Attack the enemy’s strategy or plans
2. Separate the enemy from its allies
3. Attack the army

Sun Tzu also provides five circumstances in which victory may be predicted:
1. Suppose the leader knows as much about the opposition’s troops as he knows about himself and his troops. This knowledge will allow the leader to know when to advance and when to retreat.
2. If the leader knows the correct use of both small and large forces.
3. If the leader knows how to forge ranks unified in purpose.
4. If the leader knows how to be patient when the opposition might struggle to be patient.
5. If the leader knows that his sovereignty should never interfere with the decisions he is making.
Further tips provided by Sun Tzu:
* Surround the enemy if your forces significantly outnumber the enemy’s forces.
* If you have five times more troops than your enemy, you should attack them. If you have two times more, then you should divide the enemy and fight them that way.
* If your enemy outnumbers you, then you should hide. Plus, if they significantly outnumber you, then you should escape.
* You need a general who can make his own decisions without people above them interfering.
Chapter 4: Tactical Dispositions

Chapter 5: Use of Energy

Chapter 6: Weak Points and Strong
“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”
– SUN TZU

Chapter 7: Maneuvering

Chapter 8: Variation of Tactics
Circumstances sometimes call for different tactics and different choices. There are cities you should not attack. There are roads you should not take.
In your preparation, you see that some choices will be catastrophic. These tactics all come from the general, and there are five major ways that a general can fail when deciding tactics.
1. Being reckless and impatient leads to destruction.
2. Cowardice and fear lead to eventual capture.
3. A hasty temper means one can be baited and provoked.
4. A high standard of honor means one might be susceptible and sensitive to shame.
5. Excessive compassion for the troops might make a general second guess his decisions and worry about them instead of focusing on victory alone.

Chapter 9: The Army on the March

Chapter 10: Classification of Terrain

Chapter 11: The Nine Situations

Chapter 12: The Attack by Fire

Chapter 13: The Use of Spies

Thought: this book has a plethora of things that can be used in many ways. Reason, planning, purpose, seeing the whole picture and acting in ways to win, Excel, succeed

Why I finished this read: I could not out it down.

I wish everybody could read it. It us awesome. I five it a 5 star rating.… (altro)