SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
Sun Tzu said:
1. War is a matter of vital importance to the State; the province
of life or death; the road to survival or ruin. It is mandatory
that it be thoroughly studied.
2. Therefore, appraise it in terms of the five fundamental factors
and make comparisons of the seven elements later named. So you
may assess its essentials.
3. The first of these factors is moral influence; the second,
weather; the third, terrain; the fourth, command; and the fifth,
doctrine.
4. By moral influence I mean that which causes the people to be
in harmony with their leaders, so that they will accompany them
in life and unto death without fear of mortal peril.
5. By weather I mean the interaction of natural forces; the effects
of winter's cold and summer's heat and the conduct of military
operations in accordance with the seasons.
6, By terrain I mean distances, whether the ground is traversed
with ease or difficulty, whether it is open or constricted, and
the chances of life or death.
7. By command I mean the general's qualities of wisdom, sincerity,
humanity, courage. and strictness.
8. By doctrine I mean organization, control, assignment of appropriate
ranks to officers, regulation of supply routes, and the provision
of principal items used by the army.
9. There is no general who has not heard of these five matters.
Those who master them win; those who do not are defeated.
10. Therefore, in laying plans compare the following elements,
appraising them with the utmost care.
11. If you say which ruler possesses moral influence, which commander is the more able, which army obtains the advantages of nature and the terrain, in which regulations and instructions are better carried out, which troops are
the stronger.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
12. Which has the better trained officers and men;
13. And which administers rewards and punishments in a more enlightened
manner;
14. I will be able to forecast which side will be victorious and
which defeated.
15. If a general who heeds my strategy is employed he is certain
to win. Retain him! When one who refuses to listen to my strategy
is employed, he is certain to be defeated. Dismiss him!
16. Having paid heed to the advantages of my plans, the general
must create situations which will contribute to their accomplishment.
By 'situations' I mean that he should act expediently in accordance
with what is advantageous and so control the balance.
17. All warfare is based on deception.
18. When near, make it appear that you are far away; when far
away, that you are near.
20. Offer the enemy a bait to lure him; feign disorder and strike
him.
21. When he concentrates, prepare against him; where he is strong,
avoid him.
22. Anger his general and confuse him.
23. Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.
24. Keep him under a strain and wear him down.
25. When he is united, divide him.
26. Attack where he is unprepared; sally out when he does not
expect you.
27. These are the strategist's keys to victory. It is not possible
to discuss them beforehand.
28. Now, if the estimates made in the temple before hostilities indicate victory it is because calculations show one's strength to be superior to that of his enemy; if they indicate defeat, it is because calculations show that one is inferior. With many calculations, one can win; with few one cannot. How much less chance of victory has one who makes none at all! By this means I examine the situation and the outcome will be clearly apparent.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
Sun Tzu said:
1. Generally, operations of war require one thousand fast four-horse
chariots, one thousand fourhorse wagons covered in leather,
and one hundred thousand mailed troops.
2. When provisions are transported for a thousand expenditures
at home and in the field, stipends for the entertainment of advisers
and visitors, the cost of materials such as glue and lacquer,
and of chariots and armour, will amount to one thousand pieces
of gold a day. After this money is in hand, one hundred thousand
troops may be raised.
3. Victory is the main object in war. If this is long delayed,
weapons are blunted and morale depressed. When troops attack cities,
their strength will be exhausted.
4. When the army engages in protracted campaigns the resources
of the state will not suffice.
5. When your weapons are dulled and ardor damped, your strength
exhausted and treasure spent, neighbouring rulers will take advantage
of your distress to act. And even though you have wise counselors,
none will be able to lay good plans for the future.
6. Thus, while we have heard of blundering swiftness in war, we
have not yet seen a clever operation that was prolonged.
7. For there has never been a protracted war from which a country
has benefited.
8. Thus those unable to understand the dangers inherent in employing
troops are equally unable to understand the advantageous ways
of doing so.
9. Those adept in waging war do not require a second levy of conscripts
nor more than one provisioning.
10. They carry equipment from the homeland; they rely for provisions
on the enemy. Thus the army is plentifully provided with food.
11. When a country is impoverished by military operations it is
due to distant transportation; carriage of supplies for great
distances renders the people destitute.
12. Where the army is, prices are high; when prices rise the wealth
of the people is exhausted; the peasantry will be afflicted with
urgent exactions.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
13. With strength thus depleted and wealth consumed the households
in the central plains will be utterly impoverished and seventenths
of their wealth dissipated.
14. As to government expenditures, those due to brokendown
chariots, wornout horses, armour and helmets, arrows and
crossbows, lances, hand and body shields, draft animals and supply
wagons will amount to sixty per cent of the total.
15. Hence the wise general sees to it that his troops feed on
the enemy, for one bushel of the enemy's provisions is equivalent
to twenty of his; one hundredweight of enemy fodder to twenty
hundredweight of his.
16. The reason troops slay the enemy is because they are enraged.
17. They take booty from the enemy because they desire wealth.
18. Therefore, when in chariot fighting more than ten chariots
are captured, reward those who take the first. Replace the enemy's
flags and banners with your own, mix the captured chariots with
yours, and mount them.
19. Treat the captives well, and care for them.
20. This is called 'winning a battle and becoming stronger'.
21. Hence what is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations, And therefore the general who understands war is the Minister of the people's fate and arbiter of the nation's destiny.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
Sun Tzu said:
1. Generally, in war the best policy is to take a state intact;
to ruin it is inferior to this.
2. To capture the enemy's army is better than to destroy it; to
take intact a battalion, a company or a fiveman squad is
better than to destroy them.
3. For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is
not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is
the acme of skill.
4. Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the
enemy's strategy;
5. Next best is to disrupt his alliances;
6. The next best is to attack his army.
7. The worst policy is to attack cities. Attack cities only when
there is no alternative.
8. To prepare the shielded wagons and make ready the necessary
arms and equipment requires at least three months; to pile up
earthen ramps against the walls, an additional three months will
be needed.
9. If the general is unable to control his impatience and orders
his troops to swarm up the wall like ants, onethird of them
will be killed without taking the city. Such is the calamity of
these attacks.
10. Thus, those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without
battle, They capture his cities without assaulting them and overthrow
his state without protracted operations.
11. Your aim must be to take AllunderHeaven intact.
Thus, your troops are not worn out and your gains will be complete.
This is the art of offensive strategy.
12. Consequently, the art of using troops is this: When ten to
the enemy's one, surround him;
13. When five times his strength, attack him;
14. If double his strength, divide him.
15. If equally matched you may engage him.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
16. If weaker numerically, be capable of withdrawing;
17. And if in all respects unequal, be capable of eluding him,
for a small force is but booty for one more powerful.
18. Now, the general is the protector of the state. If this protection
is allembracing, the state will surely be strong; if defective,
the state will certainly be weak.
19. Now, there are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune
upon his army:
20. When ignorant that the army should not advance, to order an
advance; or ignorant that it should not retire, to order a retirement,
this is described as 'hobbling the army'.
21. When ignorant of military affairs, to participate in their
administration, this causes the officers to be perplexed.
22. When ignorant of command problems, to share in the exercise
of responsibilities. This engenders doubts in the minds of the
officers.
23. If the army is confused and suspicious, neighbouring rulers
will cause trouble. This is what is meant by the saying: 'A confused
army leads to another's victory.'
24. Now there are five circumstances in which victory may be predicted:
25. He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be
victorious.
26. He who understands how to use both large and small forces
will be victorious.
27. He whose ranks are united in purpose will be victorious.
28. He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not,
will be victorious.
29. He whose generals are able and not interfered with by the
sovereign will be victorious.
30. It is in these five matters that the way to victory in known.
31. Therefore I say: 'Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred
battles you will never be in peril.
32. When you are ignorant of the enemy but know yourself, your
chances of winning or losing are equal.
33. If ignorant both of your enemy and of yourself, you are certain in every battle to be in peril!
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
IV DISPOSITIONS
Sun Tzu said:
1. Anciently, the skillful warriors first made themselves invincible
and awaited the enemy's moment of vulnerability.
2. Invincibility depends on one's self; the enemy's vulnerability
on him.
3. It follows that those skilled in war can make themselves invincible
but cannot cause an enemy to be certainly vulnerable.
4. Therefore, it is said that one may know how to win, but cannot
necessarily do so.
5. Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory
in the attack
6. One defends when his strength is inadequate; he attacks when
it is abundant.
7. The experts in defense conceal themselves as under the ninefold
earth; those skilled in attack move as from above the ninefold
heavens. Thus, they are capable both of protecting themselves
and of gaining a complete victory.
8. To foresee a victory which the ordinary man can foresee is
not the acme of skill;
9. To triumph in battle and be universally acclaimed 'Expert'
is not the acme of skill, for to lift an autumn down requires
no great strength; to distinguish between the sun and moon is
no test of vision; to hear the thunderclap is no indication of
acute hearing.
10. Anciently, those called "skilled in war" conquered
an enemy easily.
11. And therefore, the victories won by a master of war gain him
neither reputation for wisdom nor merit for valor.
12. For he wins his victories without erring. 'Without erring'
means that whatever he does insures his victory; he conquers an
enemy already defeated.
13. Therefore, the skillful commander takes up a position in which he cannot be defeated and misses no opportunity to master his enemy.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
15. Thus, the momentum of one skilled in war is overwhelming,
and his attack precisely regulated.
16. His potential is that of a fully drawn crossbow; his timing,
the release of the trigger.
17. In the tumult and uproar the battle seems chaotic, but there
is no disorder; the troops appear to be milling about in circles
but cannot be defeated.
18. Apparent confusion is a product of good order; apparent cowardice,
of courage; apparent weakness, of strength.
19. Order or disorder depends on organization; courage or cowardice
on circumstances; strength or weakness on dispositions.
20. Thus, those skilled at making the enemy move do so by creating
a situation to which he must conform; they entice him with something
he is certain to take, and with lures of ostensible profit they
await him in strength.
21. Therefore, a skilled commander seeks victory from the situation
and does not demand it of his subordinates.
22. He selects his men and they exploit the situation.
23. He who relies on the situation uses his men in fighting as
one rolls logs or stones. Now, the nature of logs and stones is
that on stable ground they are static; on unstable ground, they
move. If square, they stop; if round, they roll.
25. Thus, the potential of troops skillfully commanded in battle may be compared to that of round boulders which roll down from mountain heights.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
Sun Tzu said:
1. Generally, management of many is the same as management of
few. It is a matter of organization.
2. And to control many is the same as to control few. This is
a matter of formations and signals.
3. That the army is certain to sustain the enemy's attack without
suffering defeat is due to operations of the extraordinary and
the normal forces.
4, Troops thrown against the enemy as a grindstone against eggs
is an example of a solid acting upon a void.
5, Generally, in battle, use the normal force to engage; use the
extraordinary to win.
6, Now the resources of those skilled in the use of extraordinary
forces are as infinite as the heavens and earth; as inexhaustible
as the flow of the great rivers.
7. For they end and recommence; cyclical, as are the movements
of the sun and moon. They die away and are reborn; recurrent,
as are the passing seasons.
8. The musical notes are only five in number but their melodies
are so numerous that one cannot hear them all.
9. The primary colours are only five in number but their combinations
are so infinite that one cannot visualize them all.
10. The flavours are only five in number but their blends are
so various that one cannot taste them all.
11, In battle there are only the normal and extraordinary forces,
but their combinations are limitless; none can comprehend them
all.
12. For these two forces are mutually reproductive; their interaction
as endless as that of interlocked rings. Who can determine where
one ends and the other begins?
13. When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its
momentum;
14. When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it
is because of timing.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
15. Thus, a victorious army wins its victories before seeking
battle; an army destined to defeat fights in the hope of winning.
16. Those skilled in war cultivate the Tao and preserve the laws
and are therefore able to formulate victorious policies.
17. Now, the elements of the art of war are first, measurement
of space; second, estimation of quantities; third, calculations;
fourth, comparisons; and fifth, chances of victory.
18. Measurements of space are derived from the ground.
19. Quantities derive from measurement, figures from quantities,
comparisons from figures, and victory from comparisons.
20. Thus, a victorious army is as a hundredweight balanced against
a grain; a defeated army as a grain balanced against a hundredweight.
21. It is because of disposition that a victorious general is
able to make his people fight with the effect of pentup
waters which, suddenly released, plunge into a bottomless abyss.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
Sun Tzu said:
1. Generally, he who occupies the field of battle first and awaits
his enemy is at ease; he who comes later to the scene and rushes
into the fight is weary.
2. And therefore, those skilled in war bring the enemy to the
field of battle and are not brought there by him.
3. One able to make the enemy come of his own accord does so by
offering him some advantage. And one able to prevent him from
coming does so by hurting him.
4 When the enemy is at ease, be able to weary him; when well fed,
to starve him; when at rest, to make him move.
5. Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where
he does not expect you.
6. That you may march a thousand li without wearying yourself
is because you travel where there is no enemy.
7. To be certain to take what you attack is to attack a place
the enemy does not protect. To be certain to hold what you defend
is to defend a place the enemy does not attack.
8. Therefore, against those skilled in attack, an enemy does not
know where to defend; against the experts in defense, the enemy
does not know where to attack.
9. Subtle and insubstantial, the expert leaves no trace; divinely
mysterious, he is inaudible. Thus, he is master of his enemy's
fate.
10. He whose advance is irresistible plunges into his enemy's
weak positions; he who is withdrawn cannot be pursued so swiftly
that he cannot be overtaken.
11, When I wish to give battle, my enemy, even though protected
by high walls and deep moats, cannot help but engage me, for I
attack a position he must succour.
12. When I wish to avoid battle, I may defend myself simply by
drawing a line on the ground; the enemy will be unable to attack
me because I divert him from going where he wishes.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
13. If I am able to determine the enemy's dispositions while at
the same time I conceal my own then I can concentrate and he must
divide. And if I concentrate while he divides, I can use my entire
strength to attack a fraction of his. There, I will be numerically
superior. Then, if I am able to use many to strike few at the
selected point, those I deal with will be in dire straits.
14. The enemy must not know where I intend to give battle. For
if he does not know where I intend to give battle, he must prepare
in a great many places. And when he prepares in a great many places,
those I have to fight in any one place will be few.
15. For if he prepares to the front, his rear will be weak, and
if to the rear, his front will be fragile. If he prepares to the
left, his right will be vulnerable and if to the right, there
will be few on his left. And when he prepares everywhere; he will
be weak everywhere.
16. One who has few must prepare against the enemy; one who has
many makes the enemy prepare against him.
17. If one knows where and when a battle will be fought his troops
can march a thousand li and meet on the field. But if one knows
neither the battleground nor the day of battle, the left will
be unable to aid the right, or the right, the left; the van to
support the rear, or the rear, the van. How much more is this
so when separated by several tens of li, or, indeed, by even a
few'
18. Although I estimate the troops of Yueh as many, of what benefit
is this superiority in respect to the outcome?
19. Thus, I say that victory can be created. For even if the enemy
is numerous, I can prevent him from engaging.
20. Therefore, determine the enemy's plans and you will know which
strategy will be successful and which will not;
21. Agitate him and ascertain the pattern of his movement.
22. Determine his dispositions and so ascertain the field of battle.
23. Probe him and learn where his strength is abundant and where
deficient.
25. It is according to the shapes that I lay the plans for victory,
but the multitude does not comprehend this. Although everyone
can see the outward aspects, none understands the way in which
I have created victory.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
26. Therefore, when I have won a victory I do not repeat my tactics
but respond to circumstances in an infinite variety of ways.
27. Now, an army may be likened to water, for just as flowing
water avoids the heights and hastens to the lowlands, so an army
avoids strength and strikes weakness.
28. And as water shapes its flow in accordance with the ground,
so an army manages its victory in accordance with the situation
of the enemy.
29. And as water has no constant form, there are in war no constant
conditions.
30. Thus, one able to gain the victory by modifying his tactics
in accordance with the enemy's situation may be said to be divine.
31. Of the five elements, none is always predominant; of the four
seasons, none lasts forever; of the days, some are long and some
short, and the moon waxes and wanes.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
Sun Tzu said:
1. Normally, when the army is employed, the general first receives
his commands from the sovereign. He assembles the troops and mobilizes
the people. He blends the army into a harmonious entity and encamps
it.
2. Nothing is more difficult than the art of manoeuvre. What is
difficult about manoeuvre is to make the devious route the most
direct and to turn misfortune to advantage.
3. Thus, march by an indirect route and divert the enemy by enticing
him with a bait. So doing, you may set out after he does and arrive
before him. One able to do this understands the strategy of the
direct and the indirect.
4. Now both advantage and danger are inherent in manoeuvre.
5. One who sets the entire army in motion to chase an advantage
will not attain it.
6. If he abandons the camp to contend for advantage, the stores
will be lost.
7. It follows that when one rolls up the armour and sets out speedily,
stopping neither day nor night and marching at double time for
a hundred li, the three commanders will be captured. For the vigorous
troops will arrive first and the feeble straggle along behind,
so that if this method is used only onetenth of the army
will arrive.
8. In a forced march of fifty, the commander of the van will fall,
and using this method but half the army will arrive. In a forced
march of thirty li, but twothirds will arrive.
9. It follows that an army which lacks heavy equipment, fodder,
food and stores will be lost.
10. Those who do not know the conditions of mountains and forests,
hazardous defiles, marshes and swamps, cannot conduct the march
of an army;
11. Those who do not use local guides are unable to obtain the
advantages of the ground.
12. Now, war is based on deception. Move when it is advantageous
and create changes in the situation by dispersal and concentration
of forces.
13. When campaigning, be swift as the wind; in leisurely march,
majestic as the forest; in raiding and plundering, like fire;
in standing, firm as the mountains. As unfathomable as the clouds,
move like a thunderbolt.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
14. When you plunder the countryside, divide your forces. When
you conquer territory, divide the profits.
15. Weigh the situation, then move.
16. He who knows the art of the direct and the indirect approach
will be victorious. Such is the art of maneuvering.
17. The Book of Military Administration says: 'As the voice cannot
be heard in battle, drums and bells are used. As troops cannot
see each other clearly in battle, flags and banners are used.'
18. Now, gongs and drums, banners and flags are used to focus
the attention of the troops. When the troops can be thus united,
the brave cannot advance alone, nor can the cowardly withdraw.
This is the art of employing a host.
19. In night fighting use many torches and drums, in day fighting
many banners and flags in order to influence the sight and hearing
of our troops.
20. Now, an army may be robbed of its spirit and its commander
deprived of his courage.
21. During the early morning spirits are keen, during the day
they flag, and in the evening thoughts turn toward home.
22. And therefore, those skilled in war avoid the enemy when his
spirit is keen and attack him when it is sluggish and his soldiers
homesick. This is control of the moral factor.
23. In good order they await a disorderly enemy; in serenity,
a clamorous one. This is control of the mental factor.
24. Close to the field of battle, they await an enemy coming from
afar; at rest, an exhausted enemy; with wellfed troops,
hungry ones. This is control of the physical factor.
25. They do not engage an enemy advancing with wellordered
banners nor one whose formations are in impressive array. This
is control of the factor of changing circumstances.
26. Therefore, the art of employing troops is that when the enemy
occupies high ground, do not confront him; with his back resting
on hills, do not oppose him.
27. When he pretends to flee, do not pursue.
28. Do not attack his elite troops.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
29. Do not gobble proffered baits.
30. Do not thwart an enemy returning homewards.
31. To a surrounded enemy you must leave a way of escape.
32. Do not press an enemy at bay.
33. This is the method of employing troops.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
Sun Tzu said:
1. In general, the system of employing troops is that the commander
receives his mandate from the sovereign to mobilize the people
and assemble the army.
2. You should not encamp in lowlying ground.
3. In communicating ground, unite with your allies.
4. You should not linger in desolate ground.
5. In enclosed ground, resourcefulness is required.
6. In death ground, fight.
7. There are some roads not to follow; some troops not to strike;
some cities not to assault; and some ground which should not be
contested.
8. There are occasions when the commands of the sovereign need
not be obeyed.
9. A general thoroughly versed in the advantages of the nine variable
factors knows how to employ troops.
10. The general who does not understand the advantages of the
nine variable factors will not be able to use the ground to his
advantage even though familiar with it.
11. In the direction of military operations one who does not understand
the tactics suitable to the nine variable situations will be unable
to use his troops effectively, even if he understands the 'five
advantages'.
12. And for this reason, the wise general in his deliberations
must consider both favourable and unfavourable factors.
13. By taking into account the favourable factors,
he makes his plan feasible; by taking into account the unfavourable,
he may resolve the difficulties.
14. He who intimidates his neighbours does so by
inflicting injury upon them.
15. He wearies them by keeping them constantly occupied,
and makes them rush about by offering them ostensible advantages.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
16. It is a doctrine of war not to assume the enemy
will not come, but rather to rely on one's readiness to meet him;
not to presume that he will not attack, but rather to make one's
self invincible.
17. There are five qualities which are dangerous
in the character of a general:
18. If reckless, he can be killed;
19. If cowardly, captured;
20. If quicktempered, you can make a fool of
him;
21. If he has too delicate a sense of honour, you
can calumniate him;
22. If he is of a compassionate nature, you can harass
him.
23. Now, these five traits of character are serious
faults in a general and in military operations are calamitous.
24. The ruin of the army and the death of the general
are inevitable results of these shortcomings. They must be deeply
pondered.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
Sun Tzu said:
1. Generally, when taking up a position and confronting
the enemy, having crossed the mountains, stay close to valleys.
Encamp on high ground facing the sunny side.
2. Fight downhill; do not ascend to attack.
3. So much for taking position in mountains.
4. After crossing a river you must move some distance
away from it.
5. When an advancing enemy crosses water, do not
meet him at the water's edge. It is advantageous to allow half
his force to cross and then strike.
6. If you wish to give battle, do not confront your
enemy close to the water. Take position on high ground facing
the sunlight. Do not take position downstream.
7. This relates to taking up positions near a river.
8. Cross salt marshes speedily. Do not linger in
them. If you encounter the enemy in the middle of a salt marsh
you must take position close to grass and water with trees to
your rear.
9. This has to do with taking up position in salt
marshes.
10. In level ground occupy a position which facilitates
your action. With heights to your rear and right, the field of
battle is to the front and the rear is safe.
11. This is how to take up position in level ground.
12. Generally, these are advantageous for encamping
in the four situations named. By using them the Yellow Emperor
conquered four sovereigns.
13. An army prefers high ground to low; esteems sunlight
and dislikes shade. Thus, while nourishing its health, the army
occupies a firm position. An army that does not suffer from countless
diseases is said to be certain of victory.
14. When near mounds, foothills, dikes or embankments,
you must take position on the sunny side and rest your right and
rear on them.
15. These methods are all advantageous for the army,
and gain the help the ground affords.
SUN TZU ~
THE ART OF WAR
16. Where there are precipitous torrents, 'Heavenly
Wells', 'Heavenly Prisons', 'Heavenly Nets', 'Heavenly Traps',
and 'Heavenly Cracks', you must march speedily away from them.
Do not approach them.
17. I keep a distance from these and draw the enemy
toward them. I face them and cause him to put his back to them.
18. When on the flanks of the army there are dangerous
defiles or ponds covered with aquatic grasses where reeds and
rushes grow, or forested mountains with dense tangled undergrowth
you must carefully search them out, for these are places where
ambushes are laid and spies are hidden.
19. When the enemy is nearby but lying low he is
depending on a favourable position. When he challenges to battle
from afar he wishes to lure you to advance, for when he is in
easy ground he is in an advantageous position.
20. When the trees are seen to move, the enemy is
advancing.
21. When many obstacles have been placed in the undergrowth,
it is for the purpose of deception.
22. Birds rising in flight is a sign that the enemy
is lying in ambush; when the wild animals are startled and flee,
he is trying to take you unaware.
23. Dust spurting upward in high straight columns
indicates the approach of chariots. When it hangs low and is widespread,
infantry is approaching.
24. When dust rises in scattered areas the enemy
is bringing in firewood; when there are numerous small patches
which seem to come and go, he is encamping the army.
25. When the enemy's envoys speak in humble terms,
but he continues his preparations he will advance.
26. When their language is deceptive but the enemy
pretentiously advances, he will retreat.
27. When the envoys speak in apologetic terms, he
wishes a respite.
28, When without a previous understanding the enemy
asks for a truce, he is plotting.
29. When light chariots first go out and take position
on the flanks, the enemy is forming for battle.
30. When his troops march speedily and he parades
his battle chariots he is expecting to rendezvous with reinforcements.
31. When half his force advances and half withdraws,
he is attempting to decoy you.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
32. When his troops lean on their weapons, they are
famished.
33. When drawers of water drink before carrying it
to camp, his troops are suffering from thirst.
34. When the enemy sees an advantage but does not
advance to seize it, he is fatigued.
35. When birds gather above his camp sites, they
are empty.
36. When at night the enemy's camp is clamorous,
he is fearful.
37. When his troops are disorderly, the general has
no prestige.
38. When his flags and banners move about constantly,
he is in disarray.
39. If the officers are shorttempered, they
are exhausted.
40. When the enemy feeds grain to the horses and
his men meat and when his troops neither hang up their cooking
pots nor return to their shelters, the enemy is desperate.
41. When the troops continually gather in small groups
and whisper together, the general has lost the confidence of the
army.
42. Too frequent rewards indicate that the general
is at the end of his resources: too frequent punishments, that
he is in acute distress.
43. If the officers at first treat the men violently
and later are fearful of them, the limit of undiscipline has been
reached.
44. When the enemy troops are in high spirits, and,
although facing you, do not join battle for a long time, nor leave,
you must thoroughly investigate the situation.
45. In war, numbers alone confer no advantage. Do
not advance relying on sheer military power.
46. It is sufficient to estimate the enemy situation
correctly and to concentrate your strength to capture him. There
is no more to it than this. He who lacks foresight and underestimates
his enemy will surely be captured by him.
47. If troops are punished before their loyalty is
secured, they will be disobedient. If not obedient, it is difficult
to employ them. If troops are loyal, but punishments are not enforced,
you cannot employ them.
48. Thus, command them with civility and imbue them
uniformly with martial ardor and it may be said that victory is
certain.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
49. If orders which are consistently effective are
used in instructing the troops, they will be obedient. If orders
which are not consistently effective are used in instructing them,
they will be disobedient.
50. When orders are consistently trustworthy and
observed, the relationship of a commander with his troops is satisfactory.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
Sun Tzu said:
1. Ground may be classified according to its nature
as accessible, entrapping, indecisive, constricted, precipitous,
and distant.
2. Ground which both we and the enemy can traverse
with equal ease is called accessible. In such ground, he who first
takes high sunny positions convenient to his supply routes can
fight advantageously.
3. Ground easy to get out of but difficult to return
to is entrapping. The nature of this ground is such that if the
enemy is unprepared and you sally, out you may defeat him. If
the enemy is prepared and you go out and engage, but do not win,
it is difficult to return. This is unprofitable.
4. Ground equally disadvantageous for both the enemy
and ourselves to enter is indecisive. The nature of this ground
is such that although the enemy holds out a bait I do not go forth
but entice him by marching off, When I have drawn out half his
force, I can strike him advantageously.
5. If I first occupy constricted ground I must block
the passes and await the enemy, If the enemy first occupies such
ground and blocks the defiles, I should not follow him; if he
does not block them completely, I may do so.
6. In precipitous ground I must take position on
the sunny heights and await the enemy. If he first occupies such
ground, I lure him by marching off; I do not follow him.
7. When at a distance from an enemy of equal strength,
it is difficult to provoke battle and unprofitable to engage him
in his chosen position.
8. These are the principles relating to six different
types of ground. It is the highest responsibility of the general
to inquire into them with the utmost care.
9. Now, when troops flee, are insubordinate, distressed,
collapse in disorder or are routed, it is the fault of the general.
None of these disasters can be attributed to natural causes.
10. Other conditions being equal, if a force attacks
one ten times its size, the result is flight.
11. When troops are strong and officers weak, the
army is insubordinate.
12. When the officers are valiant and the troops
ineffective, the army is in distress.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
13. When senior officers are angry and insubordinate,
and on encountering the enemy rush into battle with no understanding
of the feasibility of engaging and without awaiting orders from
the commander, the army is in a state of collapse.
14. When the general is morally weak and his discipline
not strict, when his instructions and guidance are not enlightened,
when there are no consistent rules to guide the officers and,
men and when the formations are slovenly the army is in disorder.
15. When a commander, unable to estimate his enemy,
uses a small force to engage a large one, or weak troops to strike
the strong, or when he fails to select shock troops for the van,
the result is rout.
16. When any of these six conditions prevails the
army is on the road to defeat. It is the highest responsibility
of the general that he examine them carefully.
17. Conformation of the ground is of the greatest
assistance in battle. Therefore, to estimate the enemy situation
and to calculate distances and the degree of difficulty of the
terrain so as to control victory are virtues of the superior general.
He who fights with full knowledge of these factors is certain
to win; he who does not will surely be defeated.
18. If the situation is one of victory but the sovereign
has issued orders not to engage, the general may decide to fight.
If the situation is such that he cannot win, but the sovereign
has issued orders to engage, he need not do so.
19. And therefore, the general who in advancing does
not seek personal fame, and in withdrawing is not concerned with
avoiding punishment, but whose only purpose is to protect the
people and promote the best interests of his sovereign, is the
precious jewel of the state.
20. Because such a general regards his men as infants,
they will march with him into the deepest valleys. He treats them
as his own beloved sons and they will die with him.
21. If a general indulges his troops but is unable
to employ them; if he loves them but cannot enforce his commands;
if the troops are disorderly and he is unable to control them,
they may be compared to spoiled children, and are useless.
22. If I know that my troops are capable of striking
the enemy, but do not know that he is invulnerable to attack,
my chance of victory is but half.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
23. If I know that the enemy is vulnerable to attack,
but do not know that my troops are incapable of striking him,
my chance of victory is but half.
24. If I know that the enemy can be attacked and
that my troops are capable of attacking him, but do not realize
that because of the conformation of the ground I should not attack,
my chance of victory is but half.
25. Therefore, when those experienced in war move
they make no mistakes; when they act, their resources are limitless.
26. And therefore I say: 'Know the enemy, know yourself;
your victory will never be endangered. Know the ground, know the
weather; your victory will then be total.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
Sun Tzu said:
1. In respect to the employment of troops, ground
may be classified as dispersive, frontier, key, communicating,
focal, serious, difficult, encircled, and death.
2. When a feudal lord fights in his own territory,
he is in dispersive ground.
3. When he makes but a shallow penetration into enemy
territory, he is in frontier ground.
4. Ground equally advantageous for the enemy or me
to occupy is key ground.
5. Ground equally accessible to both the enemy and
me is communicating.
6. When a state is enclosed by three other states,
its territory is focal. He who first gets control of it will gain
the support of AllunderHeaven.
7. When the army has penetrated deep into hostile
territory, leaving far behind many enemy cities and towns, it
is in serious ground.
8. When the army traverses mountains, forests, precipitous
country, or marches through defiles, marshlands, or swamps, or
any place where the going is hard, it is in difficult ground.
9. Ground to which access is constricted, where the
way out is tortuous, and where a small enemy force can strike
my larger one is called 'encircled'.
10. Ground in which the army survives only if it
fights with the courage of desperation is called 'death'.
11. And therefore, do not fight in dispersive ground;
do not stop in the frontier borderlands.
12. Do not attack an enemy who occupies key ground;
in communicating ground do not allow your formations to become
separated.
13. In focal ground, ally with neighbouring states;
in deep ground, plunder.
14, In difficult ground, press on; in encircled ground,
devise stratagems; in death ground, fight.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
15. In dispersive ground I would unify the determination
of the army.
16. In frontier ground I would keep my forces closely
linked.
17. In key ground I would hasten up my rear elements.
18. In communicating ground I would pay strict attention
to my defenses.
19. In focal ground I would strengthen my alliances.
20. In serious ground I would ensure a continuous
flow of provisions
21. In difficult ground I would press on over the
roads.
22. In encircled ground I would block the points
of access and egress.
23. In death ground I could make it evident that
there is no chance of survival. For it is the nature of soldiers
to resist when surrounded; to fight to the death when there is
no alternative, and when desperate, to follow commands implicitly.
24. The tactical variations appropriate to the nine
types of ground, the advantages of close or extended deployment,
and the principles of human nature are matters the general must
examine with the greatest care.
25. Anciently, those describe, as skilled in war
made it impossible for the enemy to unite his van and his rear;
for his elements both large and small to mutually cooperate, for
the good troops to succor the poor and for superiors and subordinates
to support each other.
26. When the enemy's forces were dispersed, they
prevented him from assembling them; when concentrated, they threw
him into confusion.
27. They concentrated and moved when it was advantageous
to do so; when not advantageous, they halted.
28. Should one ask: 'How do I cope with a wellordered
enemy host about to attack me?' I reply: 'Seize something he cherishes
and he will conform to your desires.
29. Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of
the enemy's unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike
him where he has taken no precautions.
30. The general principles applicable to an invading
force are that, when you have penetrated deeply into hostile territory,
your army is united, and the defender cannot overcome you.
31. Plunder fertile country to supply the army with
plentiful provisions.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
32. Pay heed to nourishing the troops; do not unnecessarily
fatigue them. Unite them in spirit; conserve their strength. Make
unfathomable plans for the movements of the army.
33. Throw the troops into a position from which there
is no escape and even when faced with death, they will not flee.
For if prepared to die, what can they not achieve? Then officers
and men together put forth their utmost efforts. In a desperate
situation they fear nothing; when there is no way out, they stand
firm. Deep in a hostile land they are bound together, and there,
where there is no alternative, they will engage the enemy in hand
to hand combat.
34. Thus, such troops need no encouragement to be
vigilant. Without extorting their support the general obtains
it; without inviting their affection he gains it; without demanding
their trust he wins it.
35. My officers have no surplus of wealth, but not
because they disdain worldly goods; they have no expectation of
long life but not because they dislike longevity.
36. On the day the army is ordered to march, the
tears of those seated soak their lapels; the tears of those reclining
course down their cheeks.
37. But throw them into a situation where there is
no escape and they will display the immortal courage of Chuan
Chu and Ts 'ao Kuei.
38. Now, the troops of those adept in war are used
like the 'Simultaneously Responding' snake of Mount Ch'ang. When
struck on the head, its tail attacks; when struck on the tail,
its head attacks; when struck in the centre both head and tail
attack.
39. Should one ask: 'Can troops be made capable of
such instantaneous coordination?' I reply: 'They can.' For,
although the men of Wu and Yueh mutually hate one another, if
together in a boat tossed by the wind, they would cooperate
as the right hand does with the left.'
40. It is thus not sufficient to place one's reliance
on hobbled horses or buried chariot wheels.
41. To cultivate a uniform level of valour is the
object of military administration. And it is by proper use of
the ground that both shock and flexible forces are used to the
best advantage.
42. It is the business of a general to be serene
and inscrutable, impartial and selfcontrolled.
43. He should be capable of keeping his officers
and men in ignorance of his plans.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
44. He prohibits superstitious practices and so rids
the army of doubts. Then, until the moment of death, there can
be no troubles.
45. He changes his methods and alters his plans so
that people have no knowledge of what he is doing.
46. He alters his campsites and marches by
devious routes, and thus makes it impossible for others to anticipate
his purpose.
47. To assemble the army and throw it into a desperate
position is the business of the general.
48. He leads the army deep into hostile territory
ant there releases the trigger.
49. He burns his boats and smashes his cooking pots;
he urges the army on as if driving a flock of sheep, now in one
direction, now in another. and none knows where he is going.
50. He fixes a date for rendezvous and after the
troops have met, cuts off their return route just as if he were
removing a ladder from beneath them.
51. One ignorant of the plans of neighbouring states
cannot prepare alliances in good time; if ignorant of the conditions
of mountains, forests, dangerous defiles, swamps and marshes he
cannot conduct the march of an army; if he fails to make use of
native guides, he cannot gain the advantages of the ground. A
general ignorant of even one of these three matters is unfit to
command the armies of a Hegemonic King,
52. Now, when a Hegemonic King attacks a powerful
state he makes it impossible for the enemy to concentrate. He
overawes the enemy and prevents his allies from joining him.
53. It follows that he does not contend against powerful
combinations nor does he foster the power of other states. He
relies for the attainment of his aims on his ability to overawe
his opponents. And so he can take the enemy's cities and overthrow
the enemy's state.
54. Bestow rewards without respect to customary practice;
publish orders without respect to precedent. Thus, you may employ
the entire army as you would one man.
55. Set the troops to their tasks without imparting
your designs; use them to gain advantage without revealing the
dangers involved. Throw them into a perilous situation and they
survive; put them in death ground and they will live. For, when
the army is placed in such a situation, it can snatch victory
from defeat.
56. Now, the crux of military operations lies in
the presence of accommodating one 's self to the designs of the
enemy.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
57. Concentrate your forces against the enemy and
from a distance of a thousand li you can kill his general. This
is described as the ability to attain one's aim in an artful and
ingenious manner.
58. On the day the policy to attack is put into effect,
close the passes, rescind the passports, have no further intercourse
with the enemy's envoys and exhort the temple council to execute
the plans.
59. When the enemy presents an opportunity, speedily
take advantage of it. Anticipate him in seizing something he values
and move in accordance with a date secretly fixed.
60. The doctrine of war is to follow the enemy situation
in order to decide on battle.
61. Therefore, at first, be shy as a maiden. When
the enemy gives you an opening, be swift as a hare and he will
be unable to withstand you.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
Sun Tzu said:
1. There are five methods of attacking with fire.
The first is to burn personnel; the second, to burn stores; the
third, to burn equipment; the fourth, to burn arsenals; and the
fifth, to use incendiary missiles.
2. To use fire, some medium must be relied upon.
3. Equipment for setting fires must always be at
hand.
4. There are suitable times and appropriate days
on which to raise fires.
5. Times' means when the weather is scorching hot;
'days' means when the moon is in Sagittarius, Alpharatz, I, or
Chen constellations, for these are days of rising winds.
6. Now in fire attacks one must respond to the changing
situation.
7. When fire breaks out in the enemy's camp, immediately
coordinate your action from without. But if his troops remain
calm bide your time and do not attack.
8. When the fire reaches its height, follow up if
you can. If you cannot do so, wait.
9. If you can raise fires outside the enemy camp,
it is not necessary to wait until they are started inside. Set
fires at suitable times.
10. When fires are raised upwind, do not attack
from downwind.
11. When the wind blows during the day, it will die
down at night.
12. Now, the army must know the five different fireattack
situations and be constantly vigilant.
13. Those who use fire to assist their attacks are
intelligent; those who use inundation's are powerful.
14. Water can isolate an enemy, but cannot destroy
his supplies or equipment,
15. Now to win battles and take your objectives,
but to fail to exploit these achievements, is ominous and may
be described as 'wasteful delay'.
16. And therefore, it is said that enlightened rulers
deliberate upon the plans, and good generals execute them.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
17. If not in the interests of the state, do not
act. If you cannot succeed, do not use troops. If you are not
in danger, do not fight.
18. A sovereign cannot raise an army because he is
enraged, nor can a general fight because he is resentful. For
while an angered man may again be happy, and a resentful man again
be pleased, a state that has perished cannot be restored, nor
can the dead be brought back to life
19. Therefore, the enlightened ruler is prudent and
the good general is warned against rash action. Thus the state
is kept secure and the army preserved.
SUN TZU
TRUE ART OF WAR
Sun Tzu said:
1. Now when an army of one hundred thousand is raised
and dispatched on a distant campaign, the expenses borne by the
people together with the disbursements of the treasury will amount
to a thousand pieces of gold daily. There will be continuous commotion
both at home and abroad, people will be exhausted by the requirements
of transport, and the affairs of seven hundred thousand households
will be disrupted.
2. One who confronts his enemy for many years in
order to struggle for victory in a decisive battle yet who, because
he begrudges rank, honours and a few hundred pieces of gold, remains
ignorant of his enemy's situation, is completely devoid of humanity.
Such a man is no general; no support to his sovereign; no master
of victory.
3. Now, the reason the enlightened prince and the
wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move, and their achievements
surpass those of ordinary men, is foreknowledge.
4. What is called 'foreknowledge' cannot be elicited
from spirits, nor from gods, nor by analogy with past events,
nor from calculations. It must be obtained from men who know the
enemy situation.
5. Now, there are five sorts of secret agents to
be employed. These are native, inside, doubled, expendable, and
living.
6. When these five types of agents are all working
simultaneously and none knows their methods of operation, they
are called 'The Divined Skein' and are the treasure of a sovereign.
7. Native agents are those of the enemy's country
people whom we employ.
8. Inside agents are enemy officials, officials whom
we employ.
9. Doubled agents are enemy spies whom we employ.
10. Expendable agents are those of our own spies
who are deliberately given fabricated information.
11. Living agents are those who return with information.
12. Of all those in the army close to the commander,
none is more intimate than the secret agent; of all rewards, none
more liberal than those given to secret agents; of all matters,
none is more confidential than those relating to secret operations.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
13. He who is not sage and wise, humane and just,
cannot use secret agents. And he who is not delicate and subtle
cannot get the truth out of them.
14. Delicate indeed' Truly delicate' There is no
place where espionage is not used.
15. If plans relating to secret operations are prematurely
divulged, the agent and all those to whom he spoke of them shall
be put to death
16. Generally, in the case of armies you wish to
strike, cities you wish to attack, and people you wish to assassinate,
you must know the names of the garrison, commander, the staff
officers, the ushers, gate keepers, and the bodyguards. You must
instruct your agents to inquire into these matters in minute detail.
17. It is essential to seek out enemy agents who
have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to
serve you. Give them instructions and care for them. Thus doubled
agents are recruited and employed.
18. It is by means of the doubled agent that native
and inside agents can be recruited and employed.
19. And it is by this means that the expendable agent,
armed with false information, can be sent to convey it to the
enemy.
20. It is by this means also that living agents can
be used at appropriate times.
21. The sovereign must have full knowledge of the
activities of the five sorts of agents. This knowledge must come
from the doubled agents, and therefore it is mandatory that they
be treated with the utmost liberality.
22. Of old, the rise of Tin was due to I Chih, who
formerly served the Hsia; the Chou came to power through Lu Yu,
a servant of the Yin.
23. And therefore, only the enlightened sovereign
and the worthy general who are able to use the most intelligent
people as agents are certain to achieve great things. Secret operations
are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every
move.
SUN TZU
THE ART OF WAR
24. Therefore, when I have won a victory I do not
repeat my tactics but respond to circumstances in an infinite
variety of ways.
25. Now, an army may be likened to water, for just
as flowing water avoids the heights and hastens to the lowlands,
so an army avoids strength and strikes weakness.
26. And as water shapes its flow in accordance with
the ground, so an army manages its victory in accordance with
the situation of the enemy.
27. And as water has no constant form, there are
in war no constant conditions.
28. Thus, one able to gain the victory by modifying
his tactics in accordance with the enemy's situation may be said
to be divine.
29. Of the five elements, none is always predominant; of the four seasons, none lasts forever; of the days, some are long and some short, and the moon waxes and wanes.