The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
The art of war is of vital importance to the state.
It is a matter of life and death,
A road either to safety or to ruin.
To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence
Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without having to fight
If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt
If you know heaven and you know Earth, you may make your victory
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear results of a hundred battles
If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer defeat.
If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
Treat your soldiers as your beloved children
And they will follow you into the deepest valleys.
To defeat your enemy, you must pretend inferiority and encourage your enemy's arrogance.
Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory
For it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.
There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.
Speed is the essence of war.
The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy?s not coming,
But on our own readiness to receive our enemy;
Not on the chance of our enemies not attacking,
But rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.
The general who advances without seeking fame and retreats without fearing disgrace,
Whose only thought is to protect his country and do service for his sovereign,
Is the jewel of his kingdom.
The victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won
Whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.
Speed is the essence of war.
Speed is the essence of war.
It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war
Who can thoroughly understand how to profit from waging war.
It is a matter of life and death,
A road either to safety or to ruin.
To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence
Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without having to fight
If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt
If you know heaven and you know Earth, you may make your victory
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear results of a hundred battles
If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer defeat.
If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
Treat your soldiers as your beloved children
And they will follow you into the deepest valleys.
To defeat your enemy, you must pretend inferiority and encourage your enemy's arrogance.
Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory
For it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.
There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.
Speed is the essence of war.
The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy?s not coming,
But on our own readiness to receive our enemy;
Not on the chance of our enemies not attacking,
But rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.
The general who advances without seeking fame and retreats without fearing disgrace,
Whose only thought is to protect his country and do service for his sovereign,
Is the jewel of his kingdom.
The victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won
Whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.
Speed is the essence of war.
Speed is the essence of war.
It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war
Who can thoroughly understand how to profit from waging war.
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Looks like somebody's been reading Sun Tzu's "The Art of War"
Seems like he is speaking of alot of things combinged into one song.
"There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare." means its never good to fight, to wage battle, further advocated by, "Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without having to fight"
A lot of it could relate to any war, in instance the IRAQ war right now, we cannot hope to succeed if we make the enemy unknown and stereotypical, if we 'understand the opponent how do we know that we ourselves aren't the evil force attacking?
Could also refer to self conflict battles, "Speed is the essence of war" Listen to your heart, it will always be the first to know what is right to do, if in doubt follow its guidance and trust your instincts, he who does this understands how to deal with conflict.
"There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare." Doesn't so much say you shouldn't wage war, it's a claim that any prolonged war, a war that goes on too long, in no way benefits a nation.
"speed is the essence of war" The only way to genuinely benefit from waging war is to make it a quick one, hench why they called it a Blitzkrieg.
This song contains a few quotes from Napoleon, aswell as The Art of War.
They are literally talking about the Art of Waging War. Not just by quoting the Art of War, but by showing the underlying practical logic that backs it up.
"Treat your soldiers as your beloved children And they will follow you into the deepest valleys. To defeat your enemy, you must pretend inferiority and encourage your enemy's arrogance."
These are NOT positive things, they are lies and deceit. The Art of War is cold and logical, it is NOT a true art, it is a lie.
And the biggest lie? That there IS a system of war. That one can go into war knowing that prolonged war is bad and how he ought to react to win as quickly as possible, and actually make that work among the insanity and chaos of actual war.
The writer of this song seems almost offended at this cleanliness. "Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory" That's an empty slogan! Its impossible to make no mistakes
It seems whenever Ronan writes something affiliated with war, or warfare, he quotes writer. This being a prime example, along with Chosen from PTF. Love this tune though, reminds me a lot of Advance and Follow. Another VNV gem!