Sun-Tzu and the Heights of Strategy

Robert Greene is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, The 50th Law, Mastery, The Laws of Human Nature, and most recently, The Daily Laws.

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[Enviz]

Grand Strategy
- Focus on an ultimate goal
- Craft indirect ways to reach it
• Have alternatives
• Imagine different responses
- Visualize the plan working in intense detail.
• Imagine if the plan were to take into action
• Think of the different possible responses from the opponent

[nita-qmbq]

Thank you for being born in this era sir

[vmachacek]

here are some notable translations / transcripts of San-Tzu's Art of War

62 pages - Lionel Giles (1910) – A classic, early translation with detailed historical commentary, still widely respected.

243 pages - Samuel B. Griffith (1963) – Military-focused with practical insights from a Marine Corps General’s perspective.

384 pages - Ralph D. Sawyer (1994) – In-depth and scholarly, offering extensive historical and military analysis.

184 pages - Thomas Cleary (1988) – Philosophical and accessible, emphasizing the wisdom and spiritual lessons in the text.

384 pages - John Minford (2002) – Readable and engaging, with a focus on the literary and cultural impact of The Art of War.

160 pages - Michael Nylan (2020) – Modern and fresh, presenting Sun Tzu’s work as a broad guide to leadership and strategy.

96 pages - James Trapp (2012) – An accessible introduction, visually appealing and light on scholarly commentary.

[Gsp_in_NYC]

War is Robert's greatest book by far.

[andreicionescu]

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” - Sun Tzu

[misheckmbewe]

33 Strategies Of War - is a Master Piece

[devilmonkey]

From the Denma Groups translation of the Sun Tzu: "The rush of water to the point of tossing rocks about. This is Shih. The strike of a hawk at the killing snap. This is the node. Therefore one skilled in battle --- His shih is steep. His node short. Shih is like drawing the crossbow. The node is like pulling the triger." In another section, " One who uses shih sets people to battle as if rolling trees and rocks. As for the matter of trees and rocks -- When still, they are at rest. When agitated, they move. When square, they stop. When round, they go. Thus the one skilled at setting people to battle is like rolling rocks from a mountain one thousand jen high. This is shih."

[rishisingh]

Im an entrepreneur. I'm building an app - Reclaim Screen time control. To fight against big tech that capitalize on our attention. I will help a 100million individual be more focused. That's our goal. I appreciate this lesson from Robert Greene. I'd definitely dig deep to strategize for this mission of mine.

[machyavelli]

"... they are such weak strategists." 100% agreed. So often, I hear CEOs and managers say our strategy is X and name all the elements of X which, almost invariably, are a list of goals. Goals are not strategies people!

[jeanleduy]

Summary
​The video explores the principles of strategy through the lens of ancient Chinese strategist Sun Tzu, highlighting the importance of depth in strategic thinking.​ It emphasizes the potential power in strategy and compares it to a bow and arrow or a boulder on a mountain, suggesting that the position chosen can greatly influence outcomes. The speaker critiques modern strategists for their simplistic approaches and urges a more expansive, creative understanding of strategy.

Key Points
Introduction to Strategy

00:00
The essence of strategy involves understanding potential power before action; it likens the strategy to a bow that's drawn but not yet shot, showcasing various possibilities.
Influence of Sun Tzu

00:20
Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" contains deeper meanings that require careful study, as simplified interpretations can miss critical aspects of strategy.
Depth of Thought in Strategy

01:00
Effective strategists consider multiple outcomes (A, B, C) and examine the consequences of each choice in depth, which most people tend to overlook.
Concept of Potential Power

02:20
Sun Tzu’s idea of potential power reflects in natural phenomena, like a boulder poised on a precipice, which illustrates how preparedness can manifest force when necessary.
Application in Warfare

03:40
The practicality of strategy lies not only in action but in achieving flexibility and a strong position that maximizes potential for significant outcomes, as seen in Napoleonic warfare principles.
Strategic Creativity

04:30
Successful strategists defeat their adversaries before a battle through strategic positioning and force presence, highlighting the need for creativity over simple tactical moves.
Critique of Modern Strategists

05:00
Observations about contemporary politics and strategists indicate a trend towards one-dimensional strategies, contrasting with the expansive view that Sun Tzu inspires.

[mikekaranja]

I think the word you were looking for was "shih", -> a general can harness potential, or shih, from the conditions around them to subdue the enemy without fighting.

[nazeerahamedam]

Seduction, laws of human nature, 48 L of power etc on my table ❤

[jamesforreal]

This is why I love Robert Greene, more than any other author. Thank you, sir!!

[raymondtendau]

Know thy enemy, know thyself, one hundred battles, no danger.
Know thyself and not knowing thy enemy, one victory for one lose. Not knowing thyself and not knowing thy enemy, one hundred battles, certain defeat.
-SUN TZU
Art of War.

[shawnburr]

You have to be able to read between the lines regarding the art of war. It says so much, with so little. You really have to examine it's meanings to see it and understand. The 33 strategies of war expands on the art of war in perspective. It's beautiful.

[Andreorlov]

Every book 📕 which Robert wrote is masterpiece and his commentary only makes everything better 👍✅

[mashaal]

Learned the process of stratigizing from chess when i was a kid. It really changed my way of thinking, improved it if i had to say.
1:57

[isaiisleno]

You always speak to me in a way that gives me epiphanies and insight, Thanks, Robert Greene

[eniggma]

its always great listening to you Robert.

[Fortunate]

Robert saying people can reach a God like realm in strategizing gives me chills