This
is the first time I've read The Art of War by Sun Zi. However I
believe what was written as a philosophy for war can also be used in
investing.
孫子曰：兵者，國之大事，死生之地，存亡之道，不可不察也。"
Sun Tzu said: 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. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.
Similarly, the art of investing is vital to your wealth. It is a matter of wealth and poverty, a road to security or to ruin. Hence it is a subject which cannot be neglected.
夫未戰而廟算勝者，得算多也；未戰而廟算不勝者，得算少也。多算勝，少算不勝，而況無算乎！”
Whoever
makes many calculations prior to war wins the battle, whoever makes
little calculations prior to war loses the battle. Therefore, many
calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat; how
much more with no calculations at all!
When
it comes to investing, plans, analysis, calculations are required.
The more analyses made, the better your decisions, and the higher
your chance of winning the game of personal finance.