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PART I
THE ART OF WAR
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I
PRELIMINARY RECKONING
The words of Sun the Master:
To all nations War is a great matter.
Upon the army death or life depend: it is
the means of the existence or destruction
of the State.
Therefore it must be diligently studied.
Now, in war, besides stratagem and
the situation, there are five indispensable
matters. The first is called The Waya;
the second, Heaven; the third Earth; the
fourth, the Leader; the fifth, Law.
The Way or the proper conduct of man.
If the ruling authority be upright, the
people are united: fearless of danger, their
lives are at the service of their Lord.b
Heaven. Yin and Yangc; heat and
cold; time and season.
Earth. Distance; nature; extent;
strategic position.
The Leader. Intelligence; truth;
benevolence; courage and strictness.
Law. Partition and ordering of troops.
These things must be known by the
leader: to know them is to conquer; to
know them not is to be defeated.
Further, with regard to these and the
following seven matters, the condition of
the enemy must be compared with our own.
The seven matters are:
The virtue of the prince; the ability
of the general; natural advantages; the
discipline of the armies; the strength of
the soldiers; training of the soldiers;
justice both in reward and punishment.
Knowing these things, I can foretell the
victor.
If a general under me fight according
to my plans, he always conquers, and I
continue to employ him; if he differ from
my plans, he will be defeated and dismissed
from my service.
Therefore, with regard to the foregoing,
considering that with us lies the advantage,
and the generals agreeing, we create a
situation which promises victory; but as
the moment and method cannot be fixed
beforehand, the plan must be modified
according to circumstances.
War is a thing of pretence: therefore,
when capable of action, we pretend
disability; when near to the enemy, we
pretend to be far; when far away, we
pretend to be near.
Allure the enemy by giving him a small
advantage. Confuse and capture him. If
there be defects, give an appearance of
perfection, and awe the enemy. Pretend
to be strong, and so cause the enemy to
avoid you. Make him angry, and confuse
his plans. Pretend to be inferior, and
cause him to despise you. If he have
superabundance of strength, tire him out;
if united, make divisions in his camp.
Attack weak points, and appear in unexpected places.
These are the secrets of the successful
strategist, therefore they must not be made
known beforehand.
At the reckoning in the Sanctuary before
fighting, victory is to the side that excels
in the foregoing matters. They that have
many of these will conquer; they that
have few will not conquer; hopeless,
indeed, are they that have none.
If the condition of both sides with regard
to these matters be known, I can foretell
the victor.
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II
OPERATIONS OF WAR
Sun the Master said:
Now the requirements of war are such
that we need a thousand light chariots with
four horses each; a thousand leather-covered
chariots, and one hundred thousand armoured
men; and we must send supplies to distant
fields. The cost at home and in
the field, the entertainment of guests, glue
and lacquer for repairs, and necessities for
the upkeep of wagons and armour are such
that in one day a thousand pieces of gold
are spent. With that amount a force of
one hundred thousand men can be raised:
you have the instruments of victory.
But, even if victorious, if the operations
long continue, and the soldiers’ ardour decreases,
the weapons become worn, and, if
a siege be undertaken, strength disappears.
Again, if the war last long, the country’s
means do not suffice. Then, when the
soldiers are worn out, weapons blunted,
strength gone and funds spent, neighbouring
princes arise and attack that weakened
country. At such a time the wisest man
cannot mend the matter.
For, while quick accomplishment has been
known to give the victory to the unskilful,
the skilful general has never gained
advantage from lengthy operations.
In fact, there never has been a country
which has benefited from a prolonged war.
He who does not know the evils of war
will not reap advantage thereby. He who
is skilful in war does not make a second
levy, does not load his supply wagons thri...
