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The Art of War by active 6th century B.C. Sunzi
6. _Li Wei Kung Wen Tui_, in 3 sections. Written in the form of a
The Art of War by active 6th century B.C. Sunzi
6. _Li Wei Kung Wen Tui_, in 3 sections. Written in the form of a
Chapter 21
35 words
Chapters
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
dialogue between T’ai Tsung and his great general Li Ching, it is usually ascribed to the latter. Competent authorities consider it a forgery, though the author was evidently well versed in the art of war.
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