How to Apply the 36 Stratagems in Modern Life

Not Just for Warfare

The 36 Stratagems (三十六计) were designed for war. But like Sun Tzu’s Art of War, their principles apply to any competitive or challenging situation.

The key is ethical application: use them to understand what’s happening and respond wisely, not to manipulate or deceive.

The Six Categories

The 36 Stratagems are organized into six groups of six:

1. Winning Stratagems (胜战计)

Use when you’re in a strong position

• Stratagem 1: Deceive the heavens to cross the sea (hide in plain sight)
• Stratagem 2: Besiege Wei to rescue Zhao (solve indirectly)
• Stratagem 3: Kill with a borrowed knife (use someone else’s effort)

Modern application: When you have advantage, consolidate it strategically. Don’t waste strength on direct confrontation when indirect approaches work better.

2. Enemy Dealing Stratagems (敌战计)

Use when facing an opponent

• Stratagem 7: Create something from nothing (build presence from zero)
• Stratagem 8: Secretly repair the walkway while marching on Chencang (distract while preparing)

Modern application: In negotiation or competition, control the frame. Make people look where you want them to look while you prepare your real move.

3. Attacking Stratagems (攻战计)

Use when you need to take action

• Stratagem 13: Beat the grass to startle the snake (probe to reveal hidden positions)

Modern application: When you suspect hidden problems, test the situation to bring them to light before acting.

4. Chaos Stratagems (混战计)

Use in confusing situations

• Stratagem 19: Remove the firewood from under the pot (cut off the source, not the symptom)
• Stratagem 20: Fish in troubled waters (exploit confusion)

Modern application: In chaos, find the root cause. Don’t fight symptoms — cut off what feeds the problem.

5. Proximity Stratagems (并战计)

Use when close to the enemy

• Stratagem 25: Replace the beams with rotten timbers (weaken from within)

Modern application: When close to a competitor or challenge, understand their weaknesses before engaging.

6. Defeat Stratagems (败战计)

Use when you’re losing

• Stratagem 33: Let the enemy’s own spies sow discord (turn opponents against each other)
• Stratagem 36: If all else fails, retreat (know when to walk away)

Modern application: When losing, don’t double down. Cut losses, preserve strength, and wait for better conditions.

Three Principles for Modern Use

1. Indirect Is Often Better Than Direct

The most famous stratagem — “Besiege Wei to rescue Zhao” — teaches that the direct approach is often the hardest. Attack where the enemy must respond, not where they’re strongest.

In business: Don’t compete head-on with a market leader. Attack their weak point or create a new category.

In relationships: Don’t argue about the surface problem. Address the underlying dynamic.

2. Timing Matters More Than Force

Many stratagems emphasize waiting for the right moment. Even a weak position becomes strong when the timing is right.

In negotiation: Don’t push when the other side is defensive. Wait until they need something from you.

in career: Don’t ask for a raise when the company is cutting costs. Wait for a win.

3. Information Is Power

Several stratagems are about creating, hiding, or exploiting information.

In competition: Let people underestimate you. Overconfidence in opponents is your advantage.

In any challenge: Know more than you reveal. Ask more than you tell.

What NOT to Do

The 36 Stratagems can be misused. Avoid:

• Manipulation: Using tactics to deceive friends or colleagues breaks trust permanently
• Paranoia: Seeing every situation as strategic war exhausts you and isolates you
• Overthinking: Not everything needs strategy. Sometimes directness and honesty are best

The Ethical Framework

Use the stratagems to:

• ✅ Understand what’s happening in competitive situations
• ✅ Defend against manipulation you might face
• ✅ Navigate complex dynamics with wisdom
• ✅ Protect yourself and those you’re responsible for

Don’t use them to:

• ❌ Deceive people who trust you
• ❌ Exploit the vulnerable
• ❌ Avoid genuine connection when it’s needed
• ❌ Justify cynicism about human nature

Start Reading

• Stratagem 1: Deceive the Heavens — hiding in plain sight
• Stratagem 2: Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao — indirect problem-solving
• Learn what the 36 Stratagems are as a complete system