The Art of War — Sun Tzu

The Art of War

Sun Tzu · רישיון: Public domain · מקור

• too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress. ¶625
• 37. To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence. ¶627
• 38. When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. ¶629
• 39. If the enemy's troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or taking themselves off again, the situation is one that demands great vigilance and circumspection. ¶631
• 40. If our troops are no more in number than the enemy, that is amply sufficient; it only means that no direct attack can be made. ¶633
• What we can do is simply to concentrate all our available strength, keep a close watch on the enemy, and obtain reinforcements. ¶635
• 41. He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them. ¶637
• This is a certain road to victory. ¶641
• 44. If in training soldiers commands are habitually enforced, the army will be well-disciplined; if not, its discipline will be bad. 45. If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, ¶642
• ----------------------------------------------------------------- ¶647
• 1. Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; ¶650
• (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy. ¶656
• 2. Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called ACCESSIBLE. 3. With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies. ¶658
• 7. In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, ¶662
• it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in his turn; then, when part of his army has come out, we may deliver our attack with advantage. 8. With regard to NARROW PASSES, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy. ¶664
• 9. Should the army forestall you in occupying a pass, do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it is weakly garrisoned. 10. With regard to PRECIPITOUS HEIGHTS, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up. ¶666
• 11. If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away. ¶668
• 12. If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle, ¶670
• and fighting will be to your disadvantage. ¶672
• 13. These six are the principles connected with Earth. ¶673
• When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is COLLAPSE. ¶677
• 17. When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or no he is in a position to fight, the result is RUIN. ¶679
• 18. When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; ¶681
• when there are no fixes duties assigned to officers and men, ¶683
• 20. These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post. ¶687
• 21. The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally; ¶689
• whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom. ¶694
• 25. Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death. ¶696
• 26. If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose. ¶698
• 27. If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory. ¶700
• 28. If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory. ¶702
• 31. Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete. ¶706
• ----------------------------------------------------------------- ¶711
• 3. When he has penetrated into hostile territory, but to no great distance, it is facile ground. ¶715
• 4. Ground the possession of which imports great advantage to either side, is contentious ground. ¶717
• 5. Ground on which each side has liberty of movement is open ground. ¶719
• 6. Ground which forms the key to three contiguous states, ¶721
• so that he who occupies it first has most of the Empire at his command, ¶723
• is a ground of intersecting highways. 7. When an army has penetrated into the heart of a hostile country, leaving a number of fortified cities in its rear, it is serious ground. ¶725
• 11. On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not. On facile ground, halt not. On contentious ground, attack not. ¶731

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