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Sun Tzu on Competition
Sun Tzu treats competition as a problem of position, information, and timing — not brute force. His advice to generals translates directly to markets and rivals: choose where to compete, strike weakness, and avoid fights you do not need.
Sun Tzu lessons for this
“All warfare is based on deception.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 1: Laying Plans
“When able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 1: Laying Plans
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 3: Attack by Stratagem
“To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 3: Attack by Stratagem
“In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy’s country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 3: Attack by Stratagem
“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 7: Maneuvering
“The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 6: Weak Points and Strong
“Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 6: Weak Points and Strong
“In war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 6: Weak Points and Strong
“Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy’s unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 11: The Nine Situations
“The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 6: Weak Points and Strong
“Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 1: Laying Plans
“Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 1: Laying Plans
Put it into practice
Sun Tzu’s strategy is only useful if you actually use it. Try this small loop the next time competition shows up:
- Read the situation. Gather information about yourself, the other side, and the environment before you commit.
- Choose your ground. Avoid the other side’s strength and strike where you have an advantage.
- Act with timing. Move fast when the moment is right, and wait when patience is the advantage.