Prioritize combined energy over individual exertion: select the right men and harness collective momentum like rolling logs or stones.

By Sun Tzu, from L'Art de la guerre

Key Arguments

  • The clever commander seeks effects from combined energy, reducing demands on individuals and enabling proper selection and employment of talent.
  • When properly organized, troops behave like logs or stones that move irresistibly when conditions (incline) favor motion.
  • Round shapes roll; four-cornered shapes halt—illustrating how configuration affects momentum.
  • The momentum generated by well-led troops is like a round stone rolling down a mountain for thousands of feet.

Source Quotes

21. The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilize combined energy. 22.
22. When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope; if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if round-shaped, to go rolling down.
When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope; if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if round-shaped, to go rolling down. 23.
23. Thus the energy developed by good fighting men is as the momentum of a round stone rolled down a mountain, thousands of feet in height. So much on the subject of energy.

Key Concepts

  • The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilize combined energy.
  • When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones.
  • For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope; if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if round-shaped, to go rolling down.
  • Thus the energy developed by good fighting men is as the momentum of a round stone rolled down a mountain, thousands of feet in height.

Context

v. Energy (lines 273–321)