Stanley F. Bronstein – Personal Development BlogPersonal Development Blog of the Founder of the Achievement IQ Movement and Creator of the Laws of Positioning

CHAPTER 6 – The Solid and Empty – Part 1 of 3

The Solid and Empty

Solid – Having the interior completely filled up, free from cavities, or not hollow.  Without openings or breaks.  Whole or entire.

Empty – Containing nothing; having none of the usual or appropriate contents.  Without force, effect, or significance; hollow; meaningless.  Without knowledge or sense; frivolous; foolish.

Previous Posts On The Art of War

While each one of these posts is designed to be read separately and independently of each other, it would be useful if you read the previous posts on The Art of War, all of which can be found by clicking here, if you have not already done so.

More From Sun Tzu

One who takes position first at the battleground and awaits the enemy is at ease.

One who takes position later at the battleground and hastens to do battle is at labor.

Thus, one skilled at battle summons others and is not summoned by them.

What Does This Quote Mean?

To me, it means that winners create the scene at the “battleground”.  They don’t arrive at the battleground and all of a sudden decide what to do.  INSTEAD, they create the situation.  THEY are in control.  They make their opponent respond to them, as opposed to responding to their opponent.

Another Quote

How can one make the enemy arrive on their own accord – offer them advantage.

How can one prevent the enemy from arriving – harm them.

Thus, how can one make the enemy labor when at ease and starve them when full – emerge where they must hasten.

Yet More Interpretation

If you want to draw your opponent into a situation where you are ready for them, offer them some “apparent” advantage.   They will come running to you and you will be ready for them.

IF you are NOT ready for your opponent, harm them while they are still away and you might be able to prevent them from coming to you before you are ready.

NOW, here’s the good part.  IF your opponent is at ease, OR if your opponent thinks they’re in pretty good shape, MAKE THEM HASTEN – MAKE THEM RUSH AROUND IN A CRAZY MANNER.

IF you can do that, you will remove all advantage they might have had on you.

Yet One More Quote From Sun Tzu

To go one thousand li without fear, go through unpeopled ground.

To attack and surely take it, attack where they do not defend.

To defend and surely hold firm, defend where they will sure not attack.

Thus, with one skilled at attack, the enemy does not know where to defend.

With one skilled at defense, the enemy does not know where to attack.

What Does This Mean?

This is yet MORE sound advice, ALL OF WHICH TIES INTO THE EARLIER PARTS MENTIONED ABOVE.

If you want to win when you attack, create a situation where you can attack an undefended position.

If you want to make sure you won’t lose while you defend, set up your defense in a position where you opponent will NOT attack.

IF you have the advantage on your opponent, they won’t know what to do.  They won’t know how to defend themselves and they will have no clue as to how to attack you.  FURTHERMORE, if they even try, they will surely lose.

What Do You Think About This?

What are your comments?  What are your suggestions?  Have you encountered this in your life; in your work?

Popularity: 27% [?]