36 Stratagems - Classics of Chinese National Essence Library

Author: Ma Jiye
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2007-01-01
Features: "The 36 Stratagems" is one of the oldest and most widely disseminated popular military strategy books in China. It compiles the wisdom of military stratagems and from generations of strategists, earning the reputation of a classic book on military tactics and strategy. The book elaborates on the types of military stratagems and their philosophical foundations, developing and deepening some ideas from "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu, particularly in the aspect of military deception. The dialectical thinking it reflects, along with some strategic principles for warfare, holds certain positive significance and reference value for exploring military strategies under new historical conditions.
When reading classical military-themed novels and tales, one often encounters plots where, in times of crisis, the protagonist opens a talisman as arranged beforehand, follows the stratagem, and successfully overcomes the difficulty. This magical depiction reflects the ancient people's emphasis and reverence for stratagems and ingenious plans. Among the treasures of classical Chinese military literature, strategic studies are one of the most brilliant gems. The ancestors of the Chinese nation accumulated rich strategic wisdom through intense struggles, leaving behind numerous classic works. "The 36 Stratagems" is one of them.
According to legend, "The 36 Stratagems" was written by Tan Daoji, a famous general of the Southern Dynasties during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period, though the exact author and precise publication date are now uncertain. During the translation and annotation process, this book follows the annotations by Mr. Wugu, using the 1979 September edition of "The 36 Stratagems" published by Jilin People's Publishing House as the base text, which is currently considered one of the most authoritative versions.
"The 36 Stratagems" is divided into eight parts, including six sets of stratagems (Victory, Enemy, Attack, Mixed, Combined, and Defeat), as well as an introductory summary and a concluding preface. The summary provides a macroscopic understanding of the book, explaining its main themes and the fundamental principles to be followed when formulating and applying stratagems. Each of the six sets contains six stratagems, totaling 36 (6×6), which can be seen as a compilation of the strategies of generations of military strategists. At the end of the book, the author reiterates the importance of studying military stratagems for those who guide warfare.
In terms of structure, each stratagem in this book includes four modules: the original text, annotations, translation, and classic battle examples. To preserve the original form, the original text strictly follows Mr. Wugu's version. For relevant place names, personages, allusions, etc., in the original text, we have provided introductions to enhance readers' understanding of the original content. During the translation process, to facilitate readers in comparing the original text, we have attempted to use a more literal translation. To highlight the timeless vitality of "The 36 Stratagems," enhance readability, and broaden readers' perspectives, we have also specially selected some classic battle examples from ancient and modern China and the world to accompany the translations for the readers' enjoyment.
The original text of "The 36 Stratagems" extensively quotes terminology from the "I Ching," making it obscure and difficult to understand. Due to my limited knowledge, I apologize for any issues in the annotations and translations. I kindly ask readers to criticize and correct any mistakes they may find.