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What did Sun Tzu mean by saying that warfare is based on deception?
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In his classic treatise The Art of War, the Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu asserts that "all warfare is based on deception."1
By this, he means that a commander must manipulate the enemy's perception to gain a strategic advantage. Rather than relying solely on brute force, a general should use misinformation to control the enemy's actions and expose their vulnerabilities. Sun Tzu provides specific examples of this principle:
- Appearing weak or inactive: When capable of attacking, one must seem unable; when actively using forces, one must appear inactive.1
- Misleading regarding distance: When forces are near, the enemy should be led to believe they are far away, and vice versa.1
- Using enticement: A commander should hold out baits to lure the enemy into a trap.1
- Feigning disorder: By pretending to be in disarray, a commander can draw the enemy into a position where they can be crushed.1
Ultimately, this approach allows a commander to avoid the enemy's strengths and strike where they are weak, effectively shaping the enemy's behavior to ensure victory.2