The Art of War Chapters 4-8 Quiz

Questions and Answers

Discuss the irony in this statement: "To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself."

If you have a good defense, you will survive attacks. If you have a weak defense, then even a moderate attack may well succeed. The same is true for your enemy. Understand their defense to know how hard or easy it will be to defeat them.

How would Sun Tzu respond to Phillip Fulmer's statement about intensity and intimidation in football?

What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease. Hence his victories bring him neither reputation for wisdom nor credit for courage.

What, essentially, is 'true excellence'?

True excellence is when we win our 'battles' without any mistakes. It's when we don't expect to win just for the honor and glory.

What are direct methods of fighting? What are indirect methods?

Direct methods are yang, cheng, hard, straight, obvious, and expected. Indirect methods are yin, chi, soft, turning, subtle, and surprising. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the sentence, '[...] the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.' What is the effect of the phrase 'terrible in his onset'?

Get your timing right and, once you start, keep the momentum and flow going. The fighter will get better with more practice. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss this sentence: "Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength." What is the effect of the repetition?

The repetition puts emphasis on the word 'simulated', which makes it kind of a test. The parallel structure means that a fighter can overcome any weakness no matter what it is. The diction is ironic because it takes a weakness and turns it into a strength. Signup and view all the answers

Why does a 'clever combatant' not 'demand perfection from the untalented'?

The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy and does not require too much from individuals. He has the ability to pick out the right men and utilize combined energy. He picks the right men for the right job. Signup and view all the answers

How is the paragraph beginning with 'An army may march great distances [...]' related to the title of the chapter?

The quote is 'An army may march great distances without distress, if it marches through country where the enemy is not.' The title of the chapter is: Weak Points and Strong. It relates to the title because an army will stress about marching through a country where their enemy is, which makes that a weak point. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the implications of this sentence: 'If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.'

If an army sends troops everywhere, then there won't be enough to protect things well. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the analogy between water and the soldier.

"Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing." A soldier must be like water and find his way along the ground and find the best ground to win a battle. He needs to find the best route. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Irony of Defeat

Defense determines survival; strong defense withstands attacks, while weak defense invites failure.
Understanding the enemy's defense helps assess victory chances.

Intensity in Competition

Phillip Fulmer emphasizes player intensity and physical conditioning to intimidate opponents.
Sun Tzu would argue that true skill lies in winning effortlessly, without seeking glory.

True Excellence Defined

True excellence is achieving victory without mistakes, devoid of glory-seeking motivations.

Fighting Methods

Direct methods are characterized as hard, obvious, and expected (yang, cheng).
Indirect methods are soft, subtle, and surprising (yin, chi).

Timing and Momentum

A successful fighter must begin with good timing and maintain momentum.
Continuous practice improves a fighter's skills and effectiveness.

Simulated Strength

The repetition of "simulated" emphasizes a test-like quality for showing discipline and strength.
Parallel structure indicates a fighter's ability to transform weaknesses into strengths.

Clever Combatant

A clever combatant values collective energy over perfection from individuals.
This leader identifies suitable roles for each team member to maximize effectiveness.

Army Movement

An army can move efficiently without distress if it avoids enemy territory.
The relationship to "Weak Points and Strong" highlights stress associated with enemy presence.

Reinforcement Strategy

Dispersing reinforcements across conflicts leads to overall weakness in defense and effectiveness.

Water and Soldiers Analogy

Water adapts to terrain; soldiers must respond dynamically to the conditions posed by their adversaries.
Strategy involves finding optimal paths and opportunities for victory in battle.

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Description

Test your comprehension of the key concepts in chapters 4-8 of 'The Art of War.' Explore themes of defense and offense, and analyze the irony presented in strategic statements. Ideal for students looking to deepen their understanding of Sun Tzu's teachings.