Kelly’s Reviews > The Art of War: Translated and Introduced by Peter Harris > Status Update
Kelly
is on page 146 of 312
Chapter 3: Planning an Attack
Main points:
1. Defeating an enemy while avoiding war is the best outcome, keeping state intact and reaping benefits.
2. So striking an enemy’s plans and attacking alliances, roads, grain supply etc.
3. Need a completely reliable General, and a ruler that doesn’t meddle in military affairs.
“Know your enemy and know yourself. Fight a hundred battles without danger.”
— Mar 11, 2026 08:55PM
Main points:
1. Defeating an enemy while avoiding war is the best outcome, keeping state intact and reaping benefits.
2. So striking an enemy’s plans and attacking alliances, roads, grain supply etc.
3. Need a completely reliable General, and a ruler that doesn’t meddle in military affairs.
“Know your enemy and know yourself. Fight a hundred battles without danger.”
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Kelly’s Previous Updates
Kelly
is on page 130 of 312
Chapter Two: Starting a Battle (a very brief and sometimes repetitive one)
Main points:
1. Ideally we can rely on the enemy for food provisions because grain is so heavy. It saves a lot of money and the people at home.
2. Protracted war is to be avoided if at all possible. “War is like fire. If you do not stop it you will burn yourself.”
3. Reward some men with enemy possessions to spur on hundreds more.
— Mar 11, 2026 04:14PM
Main points:
1. Ideally we can rely on the enemy for food provisions because grain is so heavy. It saves a lot of money and the people at home.
2. Protracted war is to be avoided if at all possible. “War is like fire. If you do not stop it you will burn yourself.”
3. Reward some men with enemy possessions to spur on hundreds more.
Kelly
is on page 120 of 312
Overall text is a fragmentary collection of comments and sayings, plus traditional commentators over the millennia.
Chapter one: Calculations (“Planning”)
Two main points:
1. Five key factors: the Way (humane, kindness), the sky (weather), the earth (terrain traps/advantages), command (Generals) and method (strategy).
2. The way of deception (cunning).
Tally points in advance to know which state will win.
— Mar 10, 2026 08:38PM
Chapter one: Calculations (“Planning”)
Two main points:
1. Five key factors: the Way (humane, kindness), the sky (weather), the earth (terrain traps/advantages), command (Generals) and method (strategy).
2. The way of deception (cunning).
Tally points in advance to know which state will win.
Kelly
is on page 50 of 312
“War is the way of deception”
“Calculate your advantages. Then create the circumstances for their use.”
“Strategist’s ways…cannot be divulged to others beforehand.” p 48-49
— Mar 07, 2026 01:54PM
“Calculate your advantages. Then create the circumstances for their use.”
“Strategist’s ways…cannot be divulged to others beforehand.” p 48-49
