The Art of War — Sun Tzu

The Art of War

Sun Tzu · Άδεια: Public domain · Πηγή

• 9. If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune. ¶523
• 10. Reduce the hostile chiefs by inflicting damage on them; ¶525
• and keep them constantly engaged; ¶529
• hold out specious allurements, and make them rush to any given point. ¶531
• (2) cowardice, which leads to capture; ¶535
• (3) a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults; ¶537
• (4) a delicacy of honor which is sensitive to shame; ¶539
• (5) over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble. ¶541
• 13. These are the five besetting sins of a general, ruinous to the conduct of war. 14. When an army is overthrown and its leader slain, the cause will surely be found among these five dangerous faults. Let them be a subject of meditation. ¶543
• ----------------------------------------------------------------- ¶545
• 1. Sun Tzu said: We come now to the question of encamping the army, and observing signs of the enemy. Pass quickly over mountains, and keep in the neighborhood of valleys. ¶548
• Do not climb heights in order to fight. So much for mountain warfare. 3. After crossing a river, you should get far away from it. ¶554
• 4. When an invading force crosses a river in its onward march, do not advance to meet it in mid-stream. It will be best to let half the army get across, and then deliver your attack. ¶556
• 5. If you are anxious to fight, you should not go to meet the invader near a river which he has to cross. ¶558
• 6. Moor your craft higher up than the enemy, and facing the sun. ¶560
• Do not move up-stream to meet the enemy. ¶562
• So much for river warfare. 7. In crossing salt-marshes, your sole concern should be to get over them quickly, without any delay. ¶564
• 8. If forced to fight in a salt-marsh, you should have water and grass near you, and get your back to a clump of trees. ¶566
• So much for operations in salt-marches. 9. In dry, level country, take up an easily accessible position with rising ground to your right and on your rear, ¶568
• so that the danger may be in front, and safety lie behind. So much for campaigning in flat country. 10. These are the four useful branches of military knowledge ¶570
• which enabled the Yellow Emperor to vanquish four several sovereigns. ¶572
• 11. All armies prefer high ground to low. ¶574
• and sunny places to dark. 12. If you are careful of your men, ¶576
• and camp on hard ground, the army will be free from disease of every kind, ¶578
• 18. When the enemy is close at hand and remains quiet, he is relying on the natural strength of his position. ¶592
• 19. When he keeps aloof and tries to provoke a battle, he is anxious for the other side to advance. ¶594
• 20. If his place of encampment is easy of access, he is tendering a bait. 21. Movement amongst the trees of a forest shows that the enemy is advancing. ¶596
• The appearance of a number of screens in the midst of thick grass means that the enemy wants to make us suspicious. ¶598
• 22. The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade. ¶600
• Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming. 23. When there is dust rising in a high column, it is the sign of chariots advancing; when the dust is low, but spread over a wide area, it betokens the approach of infantry. ¶602
• When it branches out in different directions, it shows that parties have been sent to collect firewood. A few clouds of dust moving to and fro signify that the army is encamping. ¶604
• 24. Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is about to advance. ¶606
• Violent language and driving forward as if to the attack are signs that he will retreat. 25. When the light chariots come out first and take up a position on the wings, it is a sign that the enemy is forming for battle. 26. Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot. ¶608
• 27. When there is much running about ¶610
• 31. If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained and makes no effort to secure it, the soldiers are exhausted. 32. If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied. ¶614
• Clamor by night betokens nervousness. ¶616
• 33. If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary. ¶617
• 34. When an army feeds its horses with grain and kills its cattle for food, ¶619
• and when the men do not hang their cooking-pots over the camp- fires, showing that they will not return to their tents, you may know that they are determined to fight to the death. ¶621
• 35. The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank and file. 36. Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at the end of his resources; ¶623

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