# Attack by stratagem: objectives and methods: summary

Considers achieving an objective without destruction, the conditions for engagement and knowledge of both sides.

https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/sunzi/chapter-03-attack-by-stratagem-objectives-and-methods

## Source and summary

[Sunzi · The Art of War · Attack by stratagem: objectives and methods](https://zh.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=%E5%AD%AB%E5%AD%90%E5%85%B5%E6%B3%95&oldid=7906064#%E8%AC%80%E6%94%BB%E7%AC%AC%E4%B8%89)

> 孫子曰：凡用兵之法，全國為上，破國次之；全軍為上，破軍次之；全旅為上，破旅次之；全卒為上，破卒次之；全伍為上，破伍次之。是故百戰百勝，非善之善者也；不戰而屈人之兵，善之善者也。

Considers achieving an objective without destruction, the conditions for engagement and knowledge of both sides.

## Editorial interpretation

The example below adapts this chapter’s questions to modern work. Evaluate it against the actual purpose and conditions; ancient politics, warfare or ethics do not establish business results.

## Business application

Before matching a competitor’s price, compare partnerships, a narrower use case and a different delivery model against the customer’s objective.

1. Choose one relevant case and record its objective, available resources, verified facts and unknowns.
2. Compare options using this chapter’s perspective; choose a limited trial, owner, deadline and a measure to assess the result.

Deliverable: A comparison using attack by stratagem: objectives and methods, with conditions for acting or declining.

## Limits

The summary selects main points rather than translating every sentence. The example is not a demonstrated business method; check it against stakeholders’ conditions and actual evidence.

## Validation question

How does this chapter’s perspective change the selected option or priority, and what further evidence could change the decision?

[The Art of War: a guide to key ideas](https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/sunzi)

[This material](https://sakimyto.com/classics-data/entries/sunzi/chapter-03-attack-by-stratagem-objectives-and-methods.en.md)

Updated: 2026-10-13 · v1.0.0