The Art of War

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#1
I found a new gadget on Google that gives random quotes from Sun Tzu's tome. I think some of them are appropriate for life AND for basketball. Here's the one for today:

VII.MANEUVERING

29.A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#2
And for today:

XII.THE ATTACK BY FIRE

7.(2) If there is an outbreak of fire, but the enemy's soldiers remain quiet, bide your time and do not attack.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#3
X.TERRAIN

24.The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#4
And for those questioning what Petrie is thinking since he made no trades:

I. LAYING PLANS

25.These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.
 

Warhawk

Give blood and save a life!
Staff member
#5
Fun! I read the book a while back and find this to be a pleasant return to some of the ideas he espoused. Keep it up!
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#6
XII.THE ATTACK BY FIRE
2. In order to carry out an attack, we must have means available. The material for raising fire should always be kept in readiness.
 
#7
XII.THE ATTACK BY FIRE
2. In order to carry out an attack, we must have means available. The material for raising fire should always be kept in readiness.
A good thing for our Kings to follow. They must always have fire [from within] to summon! :)
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#8
VI. WEAK POINTS AND STRONG

2. Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#10
I found a gadget on Google that gives a different random quote each day. I've passed on a couple but I'm beginning to really look forward to them to see if I can find a correlation between the random selection and basketball and/or the Kings.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#12
XI. THE NINE SITUATIONS

22. Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans.
 

Warhawk

Give blood and save a life!
Staff member
#13
XI. THE NINE SITUATIONS

22. Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans.
AHA! So THAT is what Westphal was doing! ;)
 

Spike

Subsidiary Intermediary
Staff member
#15
Ah. I always read this prior to the start of the school year! This, and "The Tao of Pooh."

Nice find. :)
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#16
IV. TACTICAL DISPOSITIONS

1. The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#17
I. LAYING PLANS

15.The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat:--let such a one be dismissed.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#18
VI. WEAK POINTS AND STRONG

18. Numerical weakness comes from having to prepare against possible attacks; numerical strength, from compelling our adversary to make these preparations against us.
 

VF21

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SME
#19
VI. WEAK POINTS AND STRONG

31. 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.
 

Warhawk

Give blood and save a life!
Staff member
#20
VI. WEAK POINTS AND STRONG

31. 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.
Sounds like KJ and Stern to me!
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#21
XI .THE NINE SITUATIONS

1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war recognizes nine varieties of ground: (1) Dispersive ground; (2) facile ground; (3) contentious ground; (4) open ground; (5) ground of intersecting highways; (6) serious ground; (7) difficult ground; (8) hemmed-in ground; (9) desperate ground.
 

VF21

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SME
#22
IX. THE ARMY ON THE MARCH

42. If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be useless.
 

VF21

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SME
#23
VIII. VARIATION IN TACTICS

3. There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must be not attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.
 
#24
One of the episodes of Gangland on History channel profiled the Aryan Brotherhood, from their inception. The Art of War was essentially their guidebook and was required reading. It was pretty interesting.
 

VF21

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#25
XI. THE NINE SITUATIONS

67. Walk in the path defined by rule, and accommodate yourself to the enemy until you can fight a decisive battle.
 
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VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#26
I had to include this one, as a fitting end to the 2011-2012 NBA season for Kings fans.

XII. THE ATTACK BY FIRE

20. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#28
If one wanted to believe in signs, one would have to take the past three RANDOM excerpts as a message from the universe, wouldn't one?

;)