“If, however, there is to be a war of nerves let us make sure our nerves are strong and are fortified by the deepest convictions of our hearts,” Churchill speaks to me at this time.
As does Sun Tzu: “Hold out baits to entice the enemy… Attack him where he is unprepared… the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision… supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting… let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.”
My recalcitrant roommate has capitulated.
Received a phone message declaring his defeat last night; A. apologized, offering to return my paint supplies immediately, as well “a couple other things of yours” (hmm…) and asked me to leave his laptop on the desk.
I have done so, in a gesture indicating my generosity of spirit and optimistic good faith in his word-as-bond. Also with the full knowledge that, should he seek to agitate my wrath further by failing to comply with the terms of our truce, vice grips will most certainly enter the field of battle.
Victory is mine!
More wisdom from ‘The Art of War’
The art of war is of vital importance to the State.
It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.
The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one’s deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field.
These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.
The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.
Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.
Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.
The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness.
By method and discipline are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.
These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.
Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise:–
(1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law?
(2) Which of the two generals has most ability?
(3) With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?
(4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?
(5) Which army is stronger?
(6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained?
(7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?
By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.