According to this ancient Chinese strategy book, conflict is an essential part of life, but we always have all we need to deal with conflict effectively, fully, and victoriously. Knowing the elements that make up the environment and then recognising the patterns they create will let us use their power to our advantage in any situation. Finding victory does not require altering the nature of things. Since aggression and a similar reaction, as Sun Tzu teaches, can only result in devastation, we must learn to deal with conflict more profoundly and successfully. War as art teaches us how.