Thread by @ThyConsigliori

John Minford, #SunTzu 4: 22 "The Skillful Strategist cultivates the Way and preserves the law; thus he is a master of victory and defeat."

This verse offers wonderful twists and turns. It forced me to whip out several of my other translators, and I'll share one insightful commentary shortly. The phrase that I got stuck over was "preserves the law;" I just kept seeing Wyatt Earp.

As I bopped from one version to the next, it struck me that in all these decades I don't remember ever reading about Chinese law. And no, not today's Communist Party apparatus, I get that. And yes, I know about the emperors and their infinite will and power to command.

I found nothing about it in my books. And, I couldn't help but once again grow ever more deeply, ever more profoundly grateful for our Constitution and Declaration of Independence. But it doesn't appear that preservation of the law in this verse is about that kind of law.

A connection I have meditated upon many times is that between scientific law and the Tao, the Way. Of the infinite expressions of the Tao, one of the most powerful, and most beloved is that of falling water. Water seeking the low, rushing there actually and unstoppably.

Have you spent any time at a waterfall, or perhaps even more powerfully, by cascades? I have never seen a single person fail to be affected by the water spirit filling the space by a cascade. The ocean does that, with its pounding surf. But it is so vast. Cascades are human size.

I am a total sucker for anything about Isaac Newton or Albert Einstein. For me, they are the great law makers. No matter how many books I read about them, their work remains beyond my grasp. I get this or that, but there is always more mystery than comprehension. I love that.

How many of you know Tevye, from Fiddler on the Roof? He wants to know how God chooses this person to be wealthy, that one - and many, many more of them - to be poor, which is no great shame, but...

I hear the same argument in Newton and Einstein over law, physical law.

I can't remember where but I think I once read that Newton's real vision was that gravity was the physical expression of God's love, bringing the elements of the universe together in a great cosmic hug. At least, I don't think I can take credit for the thought. I would, you know!

Someday I will actually comprehend what physical laws are. It's part of my life dream. They're not what Master Sun is referring to here, either, I don't think. I guess I better turn to a real authority. In my Griffith translation, he offers Tu Mu on this verse.

"The Tao is the way of humanity and justice; 'laws' are regulations and institutions. Those who excel in war first cultivate their own humanity and justice and maintain their laws and institutions. By these means they make their governments invincible."

Do you cultivate your humanity and justice? Are you truly fair, just? How do you go about cultivating your humanity? That'll slow you down, now, won't it? Laws and institutions. Oh my! Tu Mu was MAGA. Rule of Law. Drain the swamp. And he's telling us Sun Tzu was MAGA, too.

Okay, but what about that mastery stuff, over victory and defeat? Ha! This one's right up my alley. Failure analysis. You can master victory by studying defeat. In fact, there is no other way. Fortunately, life offers so many defeats to study!

Let's go back to the Way. Admit it. You did NOT know that following the Way required you to become a Skillful Strategist. Who does such things? The generals? Sure, they do. But who else? Corporate CEOs? Well, ahem, some of them. Not most. Believe me. I know.

Again, how do we do this? After a defeat, any defeat, you ask yourself, "Self, what did I do wrong? What was wrong with my strategy? Why did I lose?" That's a lot. It's mostly enough. But then, there's Master Sun. And what is he telling you to do?

He's commanding you to dream a new dream. You too must become a Skillful Strategist. Not me. You. Never think Master Sun speaks to Pasquale. No. He speaks to you. If I'm doing my job, I'm persuading you to listen to him when he speaks to you.

LISTEN!!!!!!

Will you? Please?

Final point for today. Imagine you become a Skillful Strategist, a master of victory and defeat. Yes, of course you will make America great again. Obviously. But what else? Your new mastery will push forward to every part of your life. And that, my friend, is worth accomplishing.

To return to previous sections in our #WarForAmerica2020 and #SunTzuForMAGA series, don't forget to head over to @WarForAmerica21.

82 verses completed, 340 to go. And also, be sure to purchase John Minford's translation, here:

amazon.com/Art-War-Pengui…