Comments on Sun Tzu’s The
Art of War, edited by Dick Cooledge, Comptche Press, 1927.
Sun Tzu: “The
landscape is board upon which war is played. There is safety or danger in open
ground and narrow passes, distances great and small. Upon earth and water depend
the chances of life or death.”
Raven: “The
landscape changes according to who you are. What Bear sees is different than
Ant. What the trader sees is different from the hunter. The trick is to see it
through both your eyes and the eyes of others. Then you can travel safely and
eat well.”
Poor Richard: “To
get goods and services to your at prices competitors can’t match, know the
market landscape, Before plowing a farmer walks his fields so the furrows follow
the landscape and soil is retained and water is channeled. So must a merchant
know his customers, his competition, and his vendors. As what customers want will
change, knowing the landscape ensures the routes for bringing new goods to
market are marked, can be travelled safely, and in shorter time than
competitors.”
© Phyl Speser, January
2, 2013