{"id":3598,"date":"2019-11-12T20:49:57","date_gmt":"2019-11-13T00:49:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=3598"},"modified":"2022-03-11T14:17:34","modified_gmt":"2022-03-11T18:17:34","slug":"all-warfare-is-based-on-deception","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/all-warfare-is-based-on-deception\/","title":{"rendered":"All Warfare Is Based on Deception: What Sun Tzu Really Meant"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In The Art of War<\/em>, Sun Tzu says<\/a>, “All warfare is based on deception.” What does Tzu<\/a> mean by this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deception was an important element of Sun Tzu’s battle strategies. Learn why all warfare is based on deception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

All Warfare Is Based on Deception<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The goal of any conflict is to control your opponent and overcome them.<\/strong> Controlling their beliefs about your abilities helps you understand their assumptions and plan a strategy accordingly. As a well-known translation of Sun Tzu puts it, \u201call warfare is based on deception<\/strong>.\u201d
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Deception includes feigning weakness when you are strong or professing ignorance when you are informed. Appearing to be weak, unprepared, or small in size can lure your opponent into traps and make them susceptible to misguided actions or responses.
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For instance, creating a scenario where only a small portion of your force is visible can mislead opponents into thinking they outnumber or outarm you. When they prepare an attack under that guise, they will be ill-prepared for the full strength of your forces. 
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Another example of the lesson that all warfare is based on deception is allowing your opponent to win small victories or gains. Your opponent may fall victim to greed or an inflated ego<\/a>, which will confuse and hinder their strategy when the truth is revealed. 
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Historical Example: <\/strong>All Warfare Is Based on Deception
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When a Chinese emperor was strategizing an attack on the Han dynasty, which had joined forces with the Huns, he sent a scout to scope out the Huns\u2019 forces. Ten scouts returned after seeing old and feeble men milling about and reported that the Huns were weak. However, one scout, Lou Jing, saw the placement of these men as a ruse and reported that an attack would be unwise. The emperor punished Lou Jing for this advice and sent a massive force into Hun territory. 
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Lou Jing had been right. The hidden Huns forces surrounded the emperor\u2019s men and stranded them for a week without supplies. All warfare is based on deception.
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Deception & Orthodox vs. Unorthodox Action<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In battle, fighting is unremarkable. It is straightforward in action. But victory is attained through the remarkable, and all warfare is based on deception. Unremarkable and remarkable actions are also referred to as orthodox and unorthodox actions, respectively.
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Both orthodox and unorthodox actions are taken during conflict. Ensuring victory means having a command of both orthodox and unorthodox actions. <\/strong>
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Orthodox actions are straightforward techniques\u2014tried and true behaviors and formations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n