Sun Tzu On The Art Of War

Giles, Lionel Giles

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN:
  9780710307385
• eBook ISBN:
  9781136888298
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Anthropology
• Index: Social Sciences

First Published in 2005. This is the classic translation of the Chinese military masterpiece; it preserves the character and nuances of the Chinese original. The inspiration of Mao Tse Tung and countless generations of military leaders, it was written in antiquity and consists of thirteen chapters that reflect the mind of a born strategist and practical soldier whose maxims, full of acuteness and common sense, relate as much to the present day as they do to the military conditions of the time when they were written. As useful in the pursuit of success in modem business as it was in ancient warfare, this volume also relates to all aspects of personal and everyday life in which you must either be a winner or a loser.

INTRODUCTION

SUN WU AND HIS BOOK.

Ssŭ-ma Ch‘ien gives the following biography of Sun Tzŭ:¹ —

Sun Tzŭ Wu was a native of the Ch‘i State. His Art of War brought him to the notice of

Ho Lu,² King of

Wu. Ho Lu said to him: I have carefully perused your 13 chapters. May I submit your theory of managing soldiers to a slight test? — Sun Tzŭ replied: You may. — Ho Lu asked: May the test be applied to women? — The answer was again in the affirmative, so arrangements were made to bring 180 ladies out of the Palace. Sun Tzŭ divided them into two companies, and placed one of the King’s favourite concubines at the head of each. He then bade them all take spears in their hands, and addressed them thus: I presume you know the difference between front and back, right hand and left hand? — The girls replied: Yes. — Sun Tzŭ went on: When I say “Eyes front,” you must look straight ahead. When I say “Left turn,” you must face towards your left hand. When I say “Right turn,” you must face towards your right hand. When I say “About turn,” you must face right round towards the back. — Again the girls assented. The words of command having been thus explained, he set up the halberds and battle-axes in order to begin the drill. Then, to the sound of drums, he gave the order “Right turn.” But the girls only burst out laughing. Sun Tzŭ said: If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame. — So he started drilling them again, and this time gave the order “Left turn,” whereupon the girls once more burst into fits of laughter. Sun Tzŭ said: If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders are clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers. — So saying, he ordered the leaders of the two companies to be beheaded. Now the King of Wu was watching the scene from the top of a raised pavilion; and when he saw that his favourite concubines were about to be executed, he was greatly alarmed and hurriedly sent down the following message: We are now quite satisfied as to our general’s ability to handle troops. If We are bereft of these two concubines, our meat and drink will lose their savour. It is our wish that they shall not be beheaded. — Sun Tzŭ replied: Having once received His Majesty’s commission to be general of his forces, there are certain commands of His Majesty which, acting in that capacity, I am unable to accept. — Accordingly, he had the two leaders beheaded, and straightway installed the pair next in order as leaders in their place. When this had been done, the drum was sounded for the drill once more; and the girls went through all the evolutions, turning to the right or to the left, marching ahead or wheeling back, kneeling or standing, with perfect accuracy and precision, not venturing to utter a sound. Then Sun Tzŭ sent a messenger to the King saying: Your soldiers, Sire, are now properly drilled and disciplined, and ready for Your Majesty’s inspection. They can be put to any use that their sovereign may desire; bid them go through fire and water, and they will not disobey. — But the King replied: Let our general cease drilling and return to camp. As for us, We have no wish to come down and inspect the troops. — Thereupon Sun Tzŭ said: The King is only fond of words, and cannot tra...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• CONTENTS
• PREFACE
• INTRODUCTION
• Chap. I. Laying Plans
• Chap. II. Waging War
• Chap. III. Attack by Stratagem
• Chap. IV. Tactical Dispositions
• Chap. V. Energy
• Chap. VI. Weak Points and Strong
• Chap. VII. Manœuvring
• Chap. VIII. Variation of Tactics
• Chap. IX. The Army on the March
• Chap. X. Terrain
• Chap. XI. The Nine Situations
• Chap. XII. The Attack by Fire
• Chap. XIII. The Use of Spies
• CHINESE CONCORDANCE
• INDEX