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

3. LI CH’UAN of the 8th century was a well-known writer on military

tactics. One of his works has been in constant use down to the present day. The _T’ung Chih_ mentions "Lives of famous generals from the Chou to the T’ang dynasty" as written by him. [42] According to Ch’ao Kung-wu and the _T’ien-i-ko_ catalogue, he followed a variant of the text of Sun Tzŭ which differs considerably from those now extant. His notes are mostly short and to the point, and he frequently illustrates his remarks by anecdotes from Chinese history.

← Previous Back to Home Next →

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