Comments on Sun Tzu’s The
Art of War, edited by Dick Cooledge, Comptche Press, 1927.
Sun Tzu: “The Way
is what causes people to share the aims and orientation of the leadership. When
the way is induced in people, they will follow their leader, accepting death or
life, undismayed by danger. The leadership need not fear rebellion or betrayal.”
Raven: “When the
clans are in harmony with nature, they still hunt and fish, but they do not
kill more than they need to eat or than is necessary to protect themselves and
their young. Because they are in harmony with nature, they recognize bear,
wolf, and cougar must also eat and protect themselves and their young. To be in
harmony does not mean embracing sacrifice, injury, or death. Correctly
understand, harmony is simply accepting these must sometimes occur in order for
the clans to survive. The people embrace leaders who seek to maximize the
pleasures of survival and minimize the horrors of harm.”
Poor Richard: “A
good deal leaves the parties better off than they were before, so the wise
merchant is emphatic. He or she seeks to understand what the other parties to
the deal really need and want. That way, the merchant can steer the negotiations
so everyone gets a fair deal and the parties are happy.”
© Phyl Speser,
December 30, 2013