Sun Tzu

Chapter 1: Laying Plans

1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to
the State.

2. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to
safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on
no account be neglected.

3. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant
factors, to be taken into account in one's deliberations, when
seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field.

4. These are:

(1) The Moral Law;
(2) Heaven;
(3) Earth;
(4) The Commander;
(5) Method and discipline.

5, 6. The MORAL LAW causes the people to be in complete
accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless
of their lives, undismayed by any danger.

7. HEAVEN signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and
seasons.

8. EARTH comprises distances, great and small; danger and
security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and
death.

9. The COMMANDER stands for the virtues of wisdom,
sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness.

10. By METHOD AND DISCIPLINE are to be understood the
marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the
graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads
by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military
expenditure.

11. These five heads should be familiar to every general:
he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will
fail.

12. Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to
determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of
a comparison, in this wise: --

13. (1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the
Moral law?

(2) Which of the two generals has most ability?

(3) With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and
Earth?

(4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?

(5) Which army is stronger?

(6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained?

(7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in
reward and punishment?

14. By means of these seven considerations I can forecast
victory or defeat.

15. The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon
it, will conquer: --let such a one be retained in command! The
general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will
suffer defeat: --let such a one be dismissed!

16. While heading the profit of my counsel, avail yourself
also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary
rules.

17. According as circumstances are favorable, one should
modify one's plans.

18. All warfare is based on deception.

19. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when
using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we
must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we
must make him believe we are near.

20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder,
and crush him.

21. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If
he is in superior strength, evade him.

22. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to
irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

23. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest.

If his forces are united, separate them.

24. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are
not expected.

25. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be
divulged beforehand.

26. Now the general who wins a battle makes many
calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought.

The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations
beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few
calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It
is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to
win or lose.