Sun Tzu on The art of war

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.