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The Art of War by active 6th century B.C. Sunzi
29. Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural

The Art of War by active 6th century B.C. Sunzi

29. Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural

Chapter 185 9 words

Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Chapter 2: INTRODUCTION
Chapter 3: Chapter XIII. The Use of Spies
Chapter 4: INTRODUCTION
Chapter 5: 1. TS’AO TS’AO or Ts’ao Kung, afterwards known as Wei Wu Ti [A.D.
Chapter 6: 2. MENG SHIH. The commentary which has come down to us under this name
Chapter 7: 3. LI CH’UAN of the 8th century was a well-known writer on military
Chapter 8: 4. TU YU (died 812) did not publish a separate commentary on Sun Tzŭ,
Chapter 9: 5. TU MU (803-852) is perhaps the best known as a poet—a bright star
Chapter 10: 6. CH’EN HAO appears to have been a contemporary of Tu Mu. Ch’ao
Chapter 11: 7. CHIA LIN is known to have lived under the T’ang dynasty, for his
Chapter 12: 8. MEI YAO-CH’EN (1002-1060), commonly known by his "style" as Mei
Chapter 13: 9. WANG HSI, also of the Sung dynasty, is decidedly original in some of
Chapter 14: 10. HO YEN-HSI of the Sung dynasty. The personal name of this
Chapter 15: 11. CHANG YU. The list closes with a commentator of no great
Chapter 16: 1. _Wu Tzŭ_, in 1 _chuan_ or 6 chapters. By Wu Ch’i (_d_. 381 B.C.). A
Chapter 17: 2. _Ssu-ma Fa_, in 1 _chuan_ or 5 chapters. Wrongly attributed to
Chapter 18: 3. _Liu T’ao_, in 6 _chuan_, or 60 chapters. Attributed to Lu Wang (or
Chapter 19: 4. _Wei Liao Tzŭ_, in 5 _chuan_. Attributed to Wei Liao (4th cent.
Chapter 20: 5. _San Lueh_ in 3 _chuan_. Attributed to Huang-shih Kung, a legendary
Chapter 21: 6. _Li Wei Kung Wen Tui_, in 3 sections. Written in the form of a
Chapter 22: 7. _Li Ching Ping Fa_ (not to be confounded with the foregoing) is a
Chapter 23: 8. _Wu Ch’i Ching_, in 1 _chuan_. Attributed to the legendary minister
Chapter 24: 9. The mistake is natural enough. Native critics refer to a work of the
Chapter 25: 10. "They attached strings to wood to make bows, and sharpened wood to
Chapter 26: 11. The son and successor of Ho Lu. He was finally defeated and
Chapter 27: 12. King Yen of Hsu, a fabulous being, of whom Sun Hsing-yen says in
Chapter 28: 13. The passage I have put in brackets is omitted in the _T’u Shu_, and
Chapter 29: 14. Ts’ao Kung seems to be thinking of the first part of chap. II,
Chapter 30: 16. On the other hand, it is noteworthy that _Wu Tzŭ_, which is not in
Chapter 31: 20. See Chapter 11, § 28. Chuan Chu is the abbreviated form of his
Chapter 32: 22. The nucleus of this work is probably genuine, though large
Chapter 33: 24. I do not know what this work, unless it be the last chapter of
Chapter 34: 28. Ssu-ma Jang-chu, whose family name was T’ien, lived in the latter
Chapter 35: 29. See Legge’s Classics, vol. V, Prolegomena p. 27. Legge thinks that
Chapter 36: 31. When Wu first appears in the _Ch’un Ch’iu_ in 584, it is already at
Chapter 37: 33. There is this to be said for the later period, that the feud would
Chapter 38: 34. With Wu Yuan himself the case is just the reverse:—a spurious
Chapter 39: 35. From _Tso Chuan:_ "From the date of King Chao’s accession [515]
Chapter 40: 36. Preface ad fin: "My family comes from Lo-an, and we are really
Chapter 41: 37. Hoa-yin is about 14 miles from T’ung-kuan on the eastern border of
Chapter 42: 40. Cf. Catalogue of the library of Fan family at Ningpo: "His
Chapter 43: 42. It is interesting to note that M. Pelliot has recently discovered
Chapter 44: 43. The Hsia, the Shang and the Chou. Although the last-named was
Chapter 45: 46. This appears to be still extant. See Wylie’s "Notes," p. 91 (new
Chapter 46: 48. A notable person in his day. His biography is given in the _San Kuo
Chapter 47: 53. The few Europeans who have yet had an opportunity of acquainting
Chapter 48: 66. The other four being worship, mourning, entertainment of guests,
Chapter 49: 68. This is a rather obscure allusion to the _Tso Chuan_, where
Chapter 50: 70. Sun Hsing-yen might have quoted Confucius again. See _Lun Yu_,
Chapter 51: 74. See XIII. § 27, note. Further details on T’ai Kung will be found in
Chapter 52: Chapter I. LAYING PLANS
Chapter 53: 2. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to
Chapter 54: 3. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be
Chapter 55: 4. These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The
Chapter 56: 7. _Heaven_ signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.
Chapter 57: 8. _Earth_ comprises distances, great and small; danger and security;
Chapter 58: 9. _The Commander_ stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity,
Chapter 59: 10. By _Method and discipline_ are to be understood the marshalling of
Chapter 60: 11. These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows
Chapter 61: 12. Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the
Chapter 62: 13. (1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law?
Chapter 63: 14. By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or
Chapter 64: 15. The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will
Chapter 65: 16. While heeding the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any
Chapter 66: 17. According as circumstances are favourable, one should modify one’s
Chapter 67: 18. All warfare is based on deception.
Chapter 68: 19. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our
Chapter 69: 20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Chapter 70: 21. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in
Chapter 71: 22. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him.
Chapter 72: 23. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest.
Chapter 73: 24. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not
Chapter 74: 25. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged
Chapter 75: 26. Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his
Chapter 76: Chapter II. WAGING WAR
Chapter 77: 1. Sun Tzŭ said: In the operations of war, where there are in the field
Chapter 78: 2. When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming,
Chapter 79: 3. Again, if the campaign is protracted, the resources of the State
Chapter 80: 4. Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardour damped, your strength
Chapter 81: 5. Thus, though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has
Chapter 82: 6. There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged
Chapter 83: 7. It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war
Chapter 84: 8. The skilful soldier does not raise a second levy, neither are his
Chapter 85: 9. Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy. Thus
Chapter 86: 10. Poverty of the State exchequer causes an army to be maintained by
Chapter 87: 11. On the other hand, the proximity of an army causes prices to go up;
Chapter 88: 12. When their substance is drained away, the peasantry will be
Chapter 89: 15. Hence a wise general makes a point of foraging on the enemy. One
Chapter 90: 16. Now in order to kill the enemy, our men must be roused to anger;
Chapter 91: 17. Therefore in chariot fighting, when ten or more chariots have been
Chapter 92: 18. This is called, using the conquered foe to augment one’s own
Chapter 93: 19. In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy
Chapter 94: 20. Thus it may be known that the leader of armies is the arbiter of
Chapter 95: 1. Sun Tzŭ said: In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is
Chapter 96: 2. Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme
Chapter 97: 3. Thus the highest form of generalship is to baulk the enemy’s plans;
Chapter 98: 4. The rule is, not to besiege walled cities if it can possibly be
Chapter 99: 5. The general, unable to control his irritation, will launch his men
Chapter 100: 6. Therefore the skilful leader subdues the enemy’s troops without any
Chapter 101: 7. With his forces intact he will dispute the mastery of the Empire,
Chapter 102: 8. It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy’s one, to
Chapter 103: 9. If equally matched, we can offer battle;
Chapter 104: 10. Hence, though an obstinate fight may be made by a small force, in
Chapter 105: 11. Now the general is the bulwark of the State: if the bulwark is
Chapter 106: 12. There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune upon his
Chapter 107: 13. (1) By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant
Chapter 108: 14. (2) By attempting to govern an army in the same way as he
Chapter 109: 15. (3) By employing the officers of his army without discrimination,
Chapter 110: 16. But when the army is restless and distrustful, trouble is sure to
Chapter 111: 17. Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: (1) He
Chapter 112: 18. Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need
Chapter 113: Chapter IV. TACTICAL DISPOSITIONS
Chapter 114: 1. Sun Tzŭ said: The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond
Chapter 115: 2. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the
Chapter 116: 3. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat,
Chapter 117: 4. Hence the saying: One may _know_ how to conquer without being able
Chapter 118: 5. Security against defeat implies defensive tactics; ability to defeat
Chapter 119: 6. Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength;
Chapter 120: 7. The general who is skilled in defence hides in the most secret
Chapter 121: 8. To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is
Chapter 122: 9. Neither is it the acme of excellence if you fight and conquer and
Chapter 123: 10. To lift an autumn hair is no sign of great strength;
Chapter 124: 11. What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins,
Chapter 125: 12. Hence his victories bring him neither reputation for wisdom nor
Chapter 126: 13. He wins his battles by making no mistakes.
Chapter 127: 14. Hence the skilful fighter puts himself into a position which makes
Chapter 128: 15. Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle
Chapter 129: 16. The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly
Chapter 130: 17. In respect of military method, we have, firstly, Measurement;
Chapter 131: 18. Measurement owes its existence to Earth; Estimation of quantity to
Chapter 132: 19. A victorious army opposed to a routed one, is as a pound’s weight
Chapter 133: 20. The onrush of a conquering force is like the bursting of pent-up
Chapter 134: 1. Sun Tzŭ said: The control of a large force is the same principle as
Chapter 135: 2. Fighting with a large army under your command is nowise different
Chapter 136: 3. To ensure that your whole host may withstand the brunt of the
Chapter 137: 4. That the impact of your army may be like a grindstone dashed against
Chapter 138: 5. In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle,
Chapter 139: 6. Indirect tactics, efficiently applied, are inexhausible as Heaven
Chapter 140: 7. There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of
Chapter 141: 8. There are not more than five primary colours (blue, yellow, red,
Chapter 142: 10. In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack—the direct
Chapter 143: 11. The direct and the indirect lead on to each other in turn. It is
Chapter 144: 12. The onset of troops is like the rush of a torrent which will even
Chapter 145: 13. The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon
Chapter 146: 14. Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and
Chapter 147: 15. Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to
Chapter 148: 16. Amid the turmoil and tumult of battle, there may be seeming
Chapter 149: 17. Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline; simulated fear
Chapter 150: 18. Hiding order beneath the cloak of disorder is simply a question of
Chapter 151: 19. Thus one who is skilful at keeping the enemy on the move maintains
Chapter 152: 20. By holding out baits, he keeps him on the march; then with a body
Chapter 153: 21. The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and
Chapter 154: 22. When he utilises combined energy, his fighting men become as it
Chapter 155: 23. Thus the energy developed by good fighting men is as the momentum
Chapter 156: Chapter VI. WEAK POINTS AND STRONG
Chapter 157: 1. Sun Tzŭ said: Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of
Chapter 158: 2. Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but
Chapter 159: 3. By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to approach
Chapter 160: 4. If the enemy is taking his ease, he can harass him;
Chapter 161: 5. Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march
Chapter 162: 6. An army may march great distances without distress, if it marches
Chapter 163: 7. You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack
Chapter 164: 8. Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not
Chapter 165: 9. O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be
Chapter 166: 10. You may advance and be absolutely irresistible, if you make for the
Chapter 167: 11. If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even
Chapter 168: 12. If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging
Chapter 169: 13. By discovering the enemy’s dispositions and remaining invisible
Chapter 170: 14. We can form a single united body, while the enemy must split up
Chapter 171: 15. And if we are able thus to attack an inferior force with a superior
Chapter 172: 16. The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then
Chapter 173: 17. For should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear;
Chapter 174: 18. Numerical weakness comes from having to prepare against possible
Chapter 175: 19. Knowing the place and the time of the coming battle, we may
Chapter 176: 20. But if neither time nor place be known, then the left wing will be
Chapter 177: 21. Though according to my estimate the soldiers of Yüeh exceed our own
Chapter 178: 22. Though the enemy be stronger in numbers, we may prevent him from
Chapter 179: 23. Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity.
Chapter 180: 24. Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may
Chapter 181: 25. In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain
Chapter 182: 26. How victory may be produced for them out of the enemy’s own
Chapter 183: 27. All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can
Chapter 184: 28. Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but
Chapter 185: 29. Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural
Chapter 186: 30. So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what
Chapter 187: 31. Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over
Chapter 188: 32. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare
Chapter 189: 33. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and
Chapter 190: 34. The five elements (water, fire, wood, metal, earth) are not always
Chapter 191: 1. Sun Tzŭ said: In war, the general receives his commands from the
Chapter 192: 2. Having collected an army and concentrated his forces, he must blend
Chapter 193: 3. After that, comes tactical manœuvering, than which there is nothing
Chapter 194: 4. Thus, to take a long and circuitous route, after enticing the enemy
Chapter 195: 5. Manœuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined
Chapter 196: 6. If you set a fully equipped army in march in order to snatch an
Chapter 197: 7. Thus, if you order your men to roll up their buff-coats, and make
Chapter 198: 8. The stronger men will be in front, the jaded ones will fall behind,
Chapter 199: 9. If you march fifty _li_ in order to outmanœuver the enemy, you will
Chapter 200: 10. If you march thirty _li_ with the same object, two-thirds of your
Chapter 201: 11. We may take it then that an army without its baggage-train is lost;
Chapter 202: 12. We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the
Chapter 203: 13. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar
Chapter 204: 14. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we
Chapter 205: 15. In war, practise dissimulation, and you will succeed.
Chapter 206: 16. Whether to concentrate or to divide your troops, must be decided by
Chapter 207: 17. Let your rapidity be that of the wind,
Chapter 208: 18. In raiding and plundering be like fire,
Chapter 209: 19. Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you
Chapter 210: 20. When you plunder a countryside, let the spoil be divided amongst
Chapter 211: 21. Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.
Chapter 212: 22. He will conquer who has learnt the artifice of deviation.
Chapter 213: 23. The Book of Army Management says:
Chapter 214: 24. Gongs and drums, banners and flags, are means whereby the ears and
Chapter 215: 25. The host thus forming a single united body, is it impossible either
Chapter 216: 26. In night-fighting, then, make much use of signal-fires and drums,
Chapter 217: 27. A whole army may be robbed of its spirit;
Chapter 218: 28. Now a soldier’s spirit is keenest in the morning;
Chapter 219: 29. A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when its spirit is
Chapter 220: 30. Disciplined and calm, to await the appearance of disorder and
Chapter 221: 31. To be near the goal while the enemy is still far from it, to wait
Chapter 222: 32. To refrain from intercepting an enemy whose banners are in perfect
Chapter 223: 33. It is a military axiom not to advance uphill against the enemy, nor
Chapter 224: 34. Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight; do not attack soldiers
Chapter 225: 35. Do not swallow a bait offered by the enemy.
Chapter 226: 36. When you surround an army, leave an outlet free.
Chapter 227: 37. Such is the art of warfare.
Chapter 228: Chapter VIII. VARIATION OF TACTICS
Chapter 229: 1. Sun Tzŭ said: In war, the general receives his commands from the
Chapter 230: 2. When in difficult country, do not encamp. In country where high
Chapter 231: 3. There are roads which must not be followed,
Chapter 232: 4. The general who thoroughly understands the advantages that accompany
Chapter 233: 5. The general who does not understand these, may be well acquainted
Chapter 234: 6. So, the student of war who is unversed in the art of war of varying
Chapter 235: 7. Hence in the wise leader’s plans, considerations of advantage and of
Chapter 236: 8. If our expectation of advantage be tempered in this way, we may
Chapter 237: 9. If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we are always
Chapter 238: 10. Reduce the hostile chiefs by inflicting damage on them;
Chapter 239: 11. The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the
Chapter 240: 12. There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: (1)
Chapter 241: 13. These are the five besetting sins of a general, ruinous to the
Chapter 242: 14. When an army is overthrown and its leader slain, the cause will
Chapter 243: Chapter IX. THE ARMY ON THE MARCH
Chapter 244: 1. Sun Tzŭ said: We come now to the question of encamping the army, and
Chapter 245: 2. Camp in high places,
Chapter 246: 3. After crossing a river, you should get far away from it.
Chapter 247: 4. When an invading force crosses a river in its onward march, do not
Chapter 248: 5. If you are anxious to fight, you should not go to meet the invader
Chapter 249: 6. Moor your craft higher up than the enemy, and facing the sun.
Chapter 250: 7. In crossing salt-marshes, your sole concern should be to get over
Chapter 251: 8. If forced to fight in a salt-marsh, you should have water and grass
Chapter 252: 9. In dry, level country, take up an easily accessible position with
Chapter 253: 10. These are the four useful branches of military knowledge
Chapter 254: 11. All armies prefer high ground to low,
Chapter 255: 12. If you are careful of your men,
Chapter 256: 13. When you come to a hill or a bank, occupy the sunny side, with the
Chapter 257: 14. When, in consequence of heavy rains up-country, a river which you
Chapter 258: 15. Country in which there are precipitous cliffs with torrents running
Chapter 259: 16. While we keep away from such places, we should get the enemy to
Chapter 260: 17. If in the neighbourhood of your camp there should be any hilly
Chapter 261: 18. When the enemy is close at hand and remains quiet, he is relying on
Chapter 262: 19. When he keeps aloof and tries to provoke a battle, he is anxious
Chapter 263: 20. If his place of encampment is easy of access, he is tendering a
Chapter 264: 21. Movement amongst the trees of a forest shows that the enemy is
Chapter 265: 22. The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade.
Chapter 266: 23. When there is dust rising in a high column, it is the sign of
Chapter 267: 24. Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is
Chapter 268: 25. When the light chariots come out first and take up a position on
Chapter 269: 26. Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.
Chapter 270: 27. When there is much running about
Chapter 271: 29. When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint
Chapter 272: 30. If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves,
Chapter 273: 31. If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained and makes no effort to
Chapter 274: 32. If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied.
Chapter 275: 33. If there is disturbance in the camp, the general’s authority is
Chapter 276: 34. When an army feeds its horses with grain and kills its cattle for
Chapter 277: 35. The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in
Chapter 278: 36. Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at the end of his
Chapter 279: 37. To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy’s
Chapter 280: 38. When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign
Chapter 281: 39. If the enemy’s troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a
Chapter 282: 40. If our troops are no more in number than the enemy, that is amply
Chapter 283: 41. He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is
Chapter 284: 42. If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you,
Chapter 285: 43. Therefore soldiers must be treated in the first instance with
Chapter 286: 44. If in training soldiers commands are habitually enforced, the army
Chapter 287: 45. If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his
Chapter 288: Chapter X. TERRAIN
Chapter 289: 1. Sun Tzŭ said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1)
Chapter 290: 2. Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called
Chapter 291: 3. With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in
Chapter 292: 4. Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called
Chapter 293: 5. From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, you may
Chapter 294: 6. When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the
Chapter 295: 7. In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an
Chapter 296: 8. With regard to _narrow passes_, if you can occupy them first, let
Chapter 297: 9. Should the enemy forestall you in occupying a pass, do not go after
Chapter 298: 10. With regard to _precipitous heights_, if you are beforehand with
Chapter 299: 11. If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but
Chapter 300: 12. If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and the
Chapter 301: 13. These six are the principles connected with Earth.
Chapter 302: 14. Now an army is exposed to six several calamities, not arising from
Chapter 303: 15. Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled against
Chapter 304: 16. When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too
Chapter 305: 17. When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on
Chapter 306: 18. When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are
Chapter 307: 19. When a general, unable to estimate the enemy’s strength, allows an
Chapter 308: 20. These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully
Chapter 309: 21. The natural formation of the country is the soldier’s best ally;
Chapter 310: 22. He who knows these things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into
Chapter 311: 23. If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even
Chapter 312: 24. The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without
Chapter 313: 25. Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you
Chapter 314: 26. If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority
Chapter 315: 27. If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are
Chapter 316: 28. If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but are unaware that
Chapter 317: 29. If we know that the enemy is open to attack, and also know that our
Chapter 318: 30. Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered;
Chapter 319: 31. Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your
Chapter 320: 1. Sun Tzŭ said: The art of war recognises nine varieties of ground:
Chapter 321: 2. When a chieftain is fighting in his own territory, it is dispersive
Chapter 322: 3. When he has penetrated into hostile territory, but to no great
Chapter 323: 4. Ground the possession of which imports great advantage to either
Chapter 324: 5. Ground on which each side has liberty of movement is open ground.
Chapter 325: 6. Ground which forms the key to three contiguous states,
Chapter 326: 7. When an army has penetrated into the heart of a hostile country,
Chapter 327: 8. Mountain forests,
Chapter 328: 9. Ground which is reached through narrow gorges, and from which we can
Chapter 329: 10. Ground on which we can only be saved from destruction by fighting
Chapter 330: 11. On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not. On facile ground, halt
Chapter 331: 12. On open ground, do not try to block the enemy’s way.
Chapter 332: 13. On serious ground, gather in plunder.
Chapter 333: 14. On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem.
Chapter 334: 15. Those who were called skilful leaders of old knew how to drive a
Chapter 335: 16. When the enemy’s men were scattered, they prevented them from
Chapter 336: 17. When it was to their advantage, they made a forward move; when
Chapter 337: 18. If asked how to cope with a great host of the enemy in orderly
Chapter 338: 19. Rapidity is the essence of war:
Chapter 339: 20. The following are the principles to be observed by an invading
Chapter 340: 21. Make forays in fertile country in order to supply your army with
Chapter 341: 22. Carefully study the well-being of your men,
Chapter 342: 23. Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and
Chapter 343: 24. Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there
Chapter 344: 25. Thus, without waiting to be marshalled, the soldiers will be
Chapter 345: 26. Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious
Chapter 346: 27. If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because
Chapter 347: 28. On the day they are ordered out to battle, your soldiers may weep,
Chapter 348: 29. The skilful tactician may be likened to the _shuai-jan_. Now the
Chapter 349: 30. Asked if an army can be made to imitate the _shuai-jan_,
Chapter 350: 31. Hence it is not enough to put one’s trust in the tethering of
Chapter 351: 32. The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard
Chapter 352: 33. How to make the best of both strong and weak—that is a question
Chapter 353: 34. Thus the skilful general conducts his army just as though he were
Chapter 354: 35. It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure
Chapter 355: 36. He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports
Chapter 356: 37. By altering his arrangements and changing his plans,
Chapter 357: 38. At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has
Chapter 358: 39. He burns his boats and breaks his cooking-pots; like a shepherd
Chapter 359: 40. To muster his host and bring it into danger:—this may be termed the
Chapter 360: 41. The different measures suited to the nine varieties of ground;
Chapter 361: 42. When invading hostile territory, the general principle is, that
Chapter 362: 43. When you leave your own country behind, and take your army across
Chapter 363: 44. When you penetrate deeply into a country, it is serious ground.
Chapter 364: 45. When you have the enemy’s strongholds on your rear, and narrow
Chapter 365: 46. Therefore, on dispersive ground, I would inspire my men with unity
Chapter 366: 47. On contentious ground, I would hurry up my rear.
Chapter 367: 48. On open ground, I would keep a vigilant eye on my defences. On
Chapter 368: 49. On serious ground, I would try to ensure a continuous stream of
Chapter 369: 50. On hemmed-in ground, I would block any way of retreat.
Chapter 370: 51. For it is the soldier’s disposition to offer an obstinate
Chapter 371: 52. We cannot enter into alliance with neighbouring princes until we are
Chapter 372: 53. To be ignorant of any one of the following four or five principles
Chapter 373: 54. When a warlike prince attacks a powerful state, his generalship
Chapter 374: 55. Hence he does not strive to ally himself with all and sundry, nor
Chapter 375: 56. Bestow rewards without regard to rule,
Chapter 376: 57. Confront your soldiers with the deed itself; never let them know
Chapter 377: 58. Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it
Chapter 378: 59. For it is precisely when a force has fallen into harm’s way that is
Chapter 379: 60. Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves
Chapter 380: 61. By persistently hanging on the enemy’s flank,
Chapter 381: 63. On the day that you take up your command, block the frontier
Chapter 382: 64. Be stern in the council-chamber,
Chapter 383: 66. Forestall your opponent by seizing what he holds dear,
Chapter 384: 67. Walk in the path defined by rule,
Chapter 385: 68. At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy
Chapter 386: Chapter XII. THE ATTACK BY FIRE
Chapter 387: 1. Sun Tzŭ said: There are five ways of attacking with fire. The first
Chapter 388: 2. In order to carry out an attack, we must have means available.
Chapter 389: 3. There is a proper season for making attacks with fire, and special
Chapter 390: 4. The proper season is when the weather is very dry; the special days
Chapter 391: 5. In attacking with fire, one should be prepared to meet five possible
Chapter 392: 6. (1) When fire breaks out inside the enemy’s camp, respond at once
Chapter 393: 7. (2) If there is an outbreak of fire, but the enemy’s soldiers remain
Chapter 394: 8. (3) When the force of the flames has reached its height, follow it
Chapter 395: 9. (4) If it is possible to make an assault with fire from without, do
Chapter 396: 10. (5) When you start a fire, be to windward of it. Do not attack from
Chapter 397: 11. A wind that rises in the daytime lasts long, but a night breeze
Chapter 398: 12. In every army, the five developments connected with fire must be
Chapter 399: 13. Hence those who use fire as an aid to the attack show intelligence;
Chapter 400: 14. By means of water, an enemy may be intercepted, but not robbed of
Chapter 401: 15. Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed
Chapter 402: 16. Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead;
Chapter 403: 17. Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless
Chapter 404: 18. No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own
Chapter 405: 19. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where
Chapter 406: 20. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by
Chapter 407: 21. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again
Chapter 408: 22. Hence the enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full
Chapter 409: 1. Sun Tzŭ said: Raising a host of a hundred thousand men and marching
Chapter 410: 2. Hostile armies may face each other for years, striving for the
Chapter 411: 3. One who acts thus is no leader of men, no present help to his
Chapter 412: 4. Thus, what enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike
Chapter 413: 5. Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be
Chapter 414: 6. Knowledge of the enemy’s dispositions can only be obtained from
Chapter 415: 7. Hence the use of spies, of whom there are five classes: (1) Local
Chapter 416: 8. When these five kinds of spy are all at work, none can discover the
Chapter 417: 9. Having _local spies_ means employing the services of the inhabitants
Chapter 418: 10. Having _inward spies_, making use of officials of the enemy.
Chapter 419: 11. Having _converted spies_, getting hold of the enemy’s spies and
Chapter 420: 12. Having _doomed spies_, doing certain things openly for purposes of
Chapter 421: 13. _Surviving spies_, finally, are those who bring back news from the
Chapter 422: 14. Hence it is that with none in the whole army are more intimate
Chapter 423: 15. Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive
Chapter 424: 16. They cannot be properly managed without benevolence and
Chapter 425: 17. Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the
Chapter 426: 18. Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of
Chapter 427: 19. If a secret piece of news is divulged by a spy before the time is
Chapter 428: 20. Whether the object be to crush an army, to storm a city, or to
Chapter 429: 21. The enemy’s spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out,
Chapter 430: 22. It is through the information brought by the converted spy that we
Chapter 431: 23. It is owing to his information, again, that we can cause the doomed
Chapter 432: 24. Lastly, it is by his information that the surviving spy can be used
Chapter 433: 25. The end and aim of spying in all its five varieties is knowledge of
Chapter 434: 26. Of old, the rise of the Yin dynasty
Chapter 435: 27. Hence it is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who

course runs away from high places and hastens downwards.

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