The Art of War

[Michael Sternbach]

The war hasn't been won yet, brothers- and sisters-in-arms...

 

We continue with chapter X:

 

 

X. Terrain

1. Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporizing ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy.

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. Then you will be able to fight with advantage.

4. Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling.

5. From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is prepared for your coming, and you fail to defeat him, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue.

6. When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporizing ground.

7. In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, 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.

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.

11. If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.

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, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.

13. These six are the principles connected with Earth. The general who has attained a responsible post must be careful to study them.

14. Now an army is exposed to six several calamities, not arising from natural causes, but from faults for which the general is responsible. These are: (1) Flight; (2) insubordination; (3) collapse; (4) ruin; (5) disorganization; (6) rout.

15. Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled against another ten times its size, the result will be the flight of the former.

16. When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.

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.

18. When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixes duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization.

19. When a general, unable to estimate the enemy's strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one, and neglects to place picked soldiers in the front rank, the result must be rout.

20. These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.

21. The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally; but a power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers and distances, constitutes the test of a great general.

22. He who knows these things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.

23. If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding.

24. The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.

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.

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.

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.

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.

29. If we know that the enemy is open to attack, and also know that our men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the nature of the ground makes fighting impracticable, we have still gone only halfway towards victory.

30. Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.

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.

 

[Marblehead]

Maps help in this regard.

[Stosh]

.

Edited January 21, 2016 by Stosh

[Michael Sternbach]

 

X. Terrain

 

1. Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporizing ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy.

 

Interesting classification of the different kinds of ground. An important consideration not only for architects.

 

 

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. Then you will be able to fight with advantage.

 

Secure the high ground, and make sure you have a good lighting - a frequently recurring advice in the AoW.

 

4. Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling.

 

 

5. From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is prepared for your coming, and you fail to defeat him, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue.

 

This is a little unclear. By comparison with another translation and considering the second sentence, I think Sun Tzu is referring to an area easy to access, but difficult to get out of. Perhaps a valley, that you can descend into fairly effortlessly, whereas in the other direction you will be fighting gravity. In a place like that, you may take advantage of the opponent's compromised position if you can take them by surprise. At the same time, you must be wary of not ending up trapped yourself.

 

6. When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporizing ground.

 

 

7. In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, 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.

 

Yet that's exactly what I'm seeing in a lot of movies about medieval battles etc: Two armies squaring off on an open battle field, then crashing into each other. I always thought that's a stupid way to fight - if it can at all be helped.

 

8. With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy.

 

That makes a lot of sense. Expecting the opponent and being well prepared, you will only be dealing with a small fraction of their forces at any given moment.

 

There is a parallel to this in close combat, btw: Purposefully leaving an opening in your guard for your opponent to attack. Thus knowing what to expect, you will be ready to defend in the right place and can counter while the opponent has exposed or even unbalanced themselves while attacking you on that “strongly garrisoned narrow path” that you offer.

 

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.

 

Again, avoid falling victim to this same strategy. After all, the opponent may be reading Sun Tzu too...

 

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.

 

11. If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.

 

See my previous paragraph.

 

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, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.

 

Let's not forget, there were not planes and missiles yet in Sun Tzu's day.

 

13. These six are the principles connected with Earth. The general who has attained a responsible post must be careful to study them.

 

14. Now an army is exposed to six several calamities, not arising from natural causes, but from faults for which the general is responsible. These are: (1) Flight; (2) insubordination; (3) collapse; (4) ruin; (5) disorganization; (6) rout.

 

15. Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled against another ten times its size, the result will be the flight of the former.

 

Certain things never change, to be sure.

 

 

16. When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.

 

A good rapport between the leaders and the subordinates is fundamental to the mission's success.

 

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.

 

Uncontrolled rage makes careless!

 

18. When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixed duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization.

 

You bet. You can't afford being too lenient – it won't be appreciated. We always tend to test out the limits of what is acceptable.

 

19.  When a general, unable to estimate the enemy's strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one, and neglects to place picked soldiers in the front rank, the result must be rout.

 

Again, love know your enemy like yourself.

 

20. These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.

 

21. The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally; but a power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers and distances, constitutes the test of a great general.

 

22. He who knows these things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.

 

23. If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding.

 

Interestingly, Sun Tzu suggests that the general should defy his ruler when he considers the latter is making a mistake. After all, it is the man on the field, not the one sitting in the comfort of his palace, who can evaluate the situation best. This is at odds with the modern concept of the president being the army's highest commander.

 

24. The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.

 

Once again, don't let egotistic emotions sway you when engaging in battle. (And hope that the emperor won't have you beheaded for your insubordination.)

 

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.

 

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.

 

The right balance is key (as always in Daoism).

 

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.

 

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.

 

Sun Tzu reiterates his famous advice to know both your enemy and yourself in order to make the right decisions.

 

29. If we know that the enemy is open to attack, and also know that our men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the nature of the ground makes fighting impracticable, we have still gone only halfway towards victory.

 

Interestingly, Sun Tzu introduces a third factor as equally important here: Knowing the environment of the altercation.

 

30. Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.

 

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.

 

It seems like by Heaven and Earth, Sun Tzu simply means the environment (the ground, the climatic conditions).

 

So much for chapter X.

 

As always, your comments are welcome.

[Marblehead]

I'm glad you got back to this Michael.

 

But even with planes and missiles the won ground must eventually be occupied if one is to claim victory.  And knowing the terrain is then just as important today as it was 2500 years ago.

[Brian]

#neutron_bomb

[Stosh]

The reasons for massed battles,are several. 1 You want to have a decisive battle because waiting will put you in a bad position.2 if the enemy is massed, thats stronger than having your guys in a broken formation.3 massed forces lose fewer men to desertion 4 You can communicate your orders effectively,, and so forth.

[Michael Sternbach]

After a short break of less than a year, we now continue our discussion of this outstanding book on strategy with chapter XI.

 

XI. The Nine Situations

1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war recognizes nine varieties of ground: (1) Dispersive ground; (2) facile ground; (3) contentious ground; (4) open ground; (5) ground of intersecting highways; (6) serious ground; (7) difficult ground; (8) hemmed-in ground; (9) desperate ground.

 

Once again, this study applies not only to battlefields; there are many situations in which it is useful to understand what kind of 'ground' we're standing on.

Sun Tzu's subsequent explanation of the different kinds of ground are pretty straightforward.

 

2. When a chieftain is fighting in his own territory, it is dispersive ground.

3. When he has penetrated into hostile territory, but to no great distance, it is facile ground.

4. Ground the possession of which imports great advantage to either side, is contentious ground.

5. Ground on which each side has liberty of movement is open ground.

6. Ground which forms the key to three contiguous states, so that he who occupies it first has most of the Empire at his command, 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.

8. Mountain forests, rugged steeps, marshes and fens--all country that is hard to traverse: this is difficult ground.

9. Ground which is reached through narrow gorges, and from which we can only retire by tortuous paths, so that a small number of the enemy would suffice to crush a large body of our men: this is hemmed in ground.

 

Paragraph 9 connects to one of Sun Tzu's recommendations for warfare: Attacking an enemy army just as it comes in small parts through a narrow passage, in which case a small group of skilled warriors can take out a considerably larger one.
 

10. Ground on which we can only be saved from destruction by fighting without delay, is desperate ground.

 

It surely makes sense that we should do our best to fight our way out of dangerous circumstances as fast as we can - be it on the battlefield or in other situations.
 

11. On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not.

 

As the definition above, this is 'homeground' where we have all kinds of advantages on our side, so by smartly using these, there is generally little necessity to fight here at all. - At least that's how I would read this somewhat puzzling statement.

 

On facile ground, halt not.

 

When moving on facile ground, we should take advantage of the favourable situation and secure our fast advancement. Not least, by doing so, we avoid becoming an easy target.

 

On contentious ground, attack not.

 

On contentious ground, we should be cautious and think about our moves.
 

12. On open ground, do not try to block the enemy's way.

 

As we learned elsewhere, no enemy is as dangerous as a cornered one.

 

On the ground of intersecting highways, join hands with your allies.

13. On serious ground, gather in plunder.

 

Paragraph 13 is ethically questionable, at least from a modern perspective. Under certain circumstances, it could refer to a 'legitimate' use of  resources left by the enemy when their ground was being occupied (see the definition of serious ground above).

 

In difficult ground, keep steadily on the march.

 

Again, the reason for this is to make it more difficult for the opponent to know our position. This principle holds true on every level of combat; soldiers are instructed to run when under fire in order to make for more difficult targets. And martial artists often prefer to stay mobile when facing an opponent.

 

14. On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem.

 

This is indeed a good moment for resorting to one's wit.

 

On desperate ground, fight.

 

In other words, get out of there as fast as you can.
 

15. Those who were called skillful leaders of old knew how to drive a wedge between the enemy's front and rear; to prevent co-operation between his large and small divisions; to hinder the good troops from rescuing the bad, the officers from rallying their men.

16. When the enemy's men were united, they managed to keep them in disorder.

 

All this is about confusing, hindering and messing up the smooth functioning of the enemy army.

Edited March 8, 2017 by Michael Sternbach

[Michael Sternbach]

17. When it was to their advantage, they made a forward move; when otherwise, they stopped still.

 

Thus adapting to the situation at hand. Interestingly, retreat isn't mentioned here, as it's only a last resort, and generally not a method that would bring one closer to achieving one's goal in battle.

 

18. If asked how to cope with a great host of the enemy in orderly array and on the point of marching to the attack, I should say: "Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will."

 

Using an example from hand-to-hand combat, rather than starting out by attacking a - usually well guarded - main target such as the head, we may go for a minor target (such as kicking the opponent's hand or stomping his foot) which will greatly distract him and facilitate a major attack (if actually still needed). This is part of what is sometimes called the 'full course meal' concept.

 

19. Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.

 

Again, Sun Tzu recommends a non-linear approach to fighting which translates to many kinds of situation quite apart from the battlefield. However, including hand-to-hand combat of course, for example, when a target is being approached from an odd angle. The Chinese internal art Baguazhang specializes in this.

 

20. The following are the principles to be observed by an invading force: The further you penetrate into a country, the greater will be the solidarity of your troops, and thus the defenders will not prevail against you.

 

Here again we see Sun Tzu as a keen observer of human psychology.

 

21. Make forays in fertile country in order to supply your army with food.

 

And as a practical thinker.

 

22. Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength.

 

In more general terms: Use your resources well.

 

Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans.

 

Making it as difficult as possible for the opponent to keep track of our moves.

 

23. Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and men alike will put forth their uttermost strength.

 

Now this probably won't get you a popularity award as the leader of an army, however, as always, Sun Tzu's logic is quite indisputable.

 

24. Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.

 

These are all variations on the same theme.

 

25. Thus, without waiting to be marshaled, the soldiers will be constantly on the qui-vive; without waiting to be asked, they will do your will; without restrictions, they will be faithful; without giving orders, they can be trusted.

 

Sun Tzu, again being a keen and realistic psychological observer, recognizes that the one kind of loyalty that can be relied on in virtually everyone is loyalty to themselves, that is, their sense of self-preservation.

 

26. Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.

 

As prognostications off misfortune could discourage the soldiers, whereas outlook on an easy victory might foster carelessness and lack of commitment.

 

By the way, keeping this principle in mind, I try to avoid making too definite statements as to how a situation develops when I am doing Tarot readings.

 

27. If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.

 

This sounds somewhat sarcastic.

 

28. On the day they are ordered out to battle, your soldiers may weep, those sitting up bedewing their garments, and those lying down letting the tears run down their cheeks. But let them once be brought to bay, and they will display the courage of a Chu or a Kuei.

 

Getting started is indeed often the hardest part.

 

29. The skilful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the Chung mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both.

 

As you make your move, you inevitably present some openings that the skilfull tactician can take advantage of. Therefore, some fighters specialize in countering rather than initiating attacks.

 

30. Asked if an army can be made to imitate the shuai-jan, I should answer, yes. For the men of Wu and the men of Yueh are enemies; yet if they are crossing a river in the same boat and are caught by a storm, they will come to each other's assistance just as the left hand helps the right.

 

Again, self-preservation is always a strong argument.

 

31. Hence it is not enough to put one's trust in the tethering of horses, and the burying of chariot wheels in the ground.

 

It's not clear to me what Sun Tzu is getting at here. (The problem may lie in the translation.)

 

32. The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach.

 

The soldiers will serve as examples for each other this way.

 

33. How to make the best of both strong and weak--that is a question involving the proper use of ground.

 

34. Thus the skillful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.

 

I take this to mean seemingly willy-nilly, in accordance with Sun Tzu's emphasis on unpredictability.

Edited March 8, 2017 by Michael Sternbach

[Michael Sternbach]

 

 

35. It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order.

36. He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.

 

Mostly to prevent the leakage of valid information while the enemy is potentially being led astray by false info.

 

37. By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, he keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. By shifting his camp and taking circuitous routes, he prevents the enemy from anticipating his purpose.

38. At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him. He carries his men deep into hostile territory before he shows his hand.

39. He burns his boats and breaks his cooking-pots; like a shepherd driving a flock of sheep, he drives his men this way and that, and nothing knows whither he is going.

40. To muster his host and bring it into danger: -- this may be termed the business of the general.

 

Sun Tzu once again resorts to the method of getting the best out of his men by bringing them into dire situations.

 

41. The different measures suited to the nine varieties of ground; the expediency of aggressive or defensive tactics; and the fundamental laws of human nature: these are things that must most certainly be studied.

 

As Sun Tzu himself exemplifies so beautifully.

 

42. When invading hostile territory, the general principle is, that penetrating deeply brings cohesion; penetrating but a short way means dispersion.

 

This refers to the human nature of teaming up under difficult crcumstances again.

 

There follows another definition of the different kinds of ground one may be dealing with:

 

 

 

43. When you leave your own country behind, and take your army across neighborhood territory, you find yourself on critical ground. When there are means of communication on all four sides, the ground is one of intersecting highways.

44. When you penetrate deeply into a country, it is serious ground. When you penetrate but a little way, it is facile ground.

45. When you have the enemy's strongholds on your rear, and narrow passes in front, it is hemmed-in ground. When there is no place of refuge at all, it is desperate ground.

 

Then we are given some further (partially repetitious) advice on how to behave when moving on different kinds of ground:

 

 

 

46. Therefore, on dispersive ground, I would inspire my men with unity of purpose. On facile ground, I would see that there is close connection between all parts of my army.

47. On contentious ground, I would hurry up my rear.

48. On open ground, I would keep a vigilant eye on my defenses. On ground of intersecting highways, I would consolidate my alliances.

49. On serious ground, I would try to ensure a continuous stream of supplies. On difficult ground, I would keep pushing on along the road.

 

All of this is pretty much self-explanatory.

 

50. On hemmed-in ground, I would block any way of retreat. On desperate ground, I would proclaim to my soldiers the hopelessness of saving their lives.

51. For it is the soldier's disposition to offer an obstinate resistance when surrounded, to fight hard when he cannot help himself, and to obey promptly when he has fallen into danger.

 

Another charming instance of Sun Tzu's principle to make use of courage born of desperation.

[Michael Sternbach]

 

 

52. We cannot enter into alliance with neighboring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country--its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides.

 

All this is (or at least should be) common sense.

 

53. To be ignored of any one of the following four or five principles does not befit a warlike prince.

54. When a warlike prince attacks a powerful state, his generalship shows itself in preventing the concentration of the enemy's forces. He overawes his opponents, and their allies are prevented from joining against him.

 

As already suggested in paragraph 52, Sun Tzu recommends to even beware of allies.

 

55. Hence he does not strive to ally himself with all and sundry, nor does he foster the power of other states. He carries out his own secret designs, keeping his antagonists in awe. Thus he is able to capture their cities and overthrow their kingdoms.

56. Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man.

 

Here the suggestion to continuously surprise even one's own men, kind of keeping them on the go.

 

57. Confront your soldiers with the deed itself; never let them know your design. When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.

 

That is, not prematurely...

 

58. Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.

59. For it is precisely when a force has fallen into harm's way that is capable of striking a blow for victory.

 

Sun Tzu keeps emphasizing this principle throughout this chapter (and elsewhere).

 

60. Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.

 

Never lose sight of what the opponent is doing.

 

61. By persistently hanging on the enemy's flank, we shall succeed in the long run in killing the commander-in-chief.

62. This is called ability to accomplish a thing by sheer cunning.

 

By means of gradually wearing the opposition down.

 

63. On the day that you take up your command, block the frontier passes, destroy the official tallies, and stop the passage of all emissaries.

 

Indeed, countries at war tend to turn into fortresses. The reverse also holds true, by the way: The closing off of a country suggests that its leader considers it to be at war.

 

64. Be stern in the council-chamber, so that you may control the situation.

65. If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.

66. Forestall your opponent by seizing what he holds dear, and subtly contrive to time his arrival on the ground.

67. Walk in the path defined by rule, and accommodate yourself to the enemy until you can fight a decisive battle.

 

All this is quite self-explanatory and/or repeating foregoing tenets.

 

68. At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.

 

This is a principle that is often recommended for self-defence too; an example for it can be seen here:

 

[dawei]

Brilliant !    This is akin to the line by line analysis that Stoch is asking in ZZ threads...   it seems to work here

[Stosh]

Yeah, I like that he is addressing the issues on small scale, saying what he thinks on it. 

The tendency however , with no opposition , is to rush ahead.....

 

as Mike said in response to TS

"When moving on facile ground, we should take advantage of the favourable situation and secure our fast advancement. Not least, by doing so, we avoid becoming an easy target."

 

BUT If Im watching close , I see his response to TS as follows,.....

 

TS

On desperate ground, fight. 

 

which Mike takes....

 

MS

In other words, get out of there as fast as you can.

 

Which I don't think TS was indicating , I think he said to- intend to fight when in desperate situations,

Because Your back is against a wall , your men will go above and beyond ordinary because there is no other way out ,and you cant stay where you are. Unless your enemy is a fool, he will just sit outside and leave you to die penned in. 

 

So having an adversarial interplay can keep you from getting your supply lines strung out    and is what keeps you from becoming an easy target. 

Edited March 9, 2017 by Stosh

[Michael Sternbach]

Yeah, I like that he is addressing the issues on small scale, saying what he thinks on it. 

The tendency however , with no opposition , is to rush ahead.....

 

as Mike said in response to TS

"When moving on facile ground, we should take advantage of the favourable situation and secure our fast advancement. Not least, by doing so, we avoid becoming an easy target."

 

BUT If Im watching close , I see his response to TS as follows,.....

 

TS

On desperate ground, fight. 

 

which Mike takes....

 

MS

In other words, get out of there as fast as you can.

 

Which I don't think TS was indicating , I think he said to- intend to fight when in desperate situations,

Because Your back is against a wall , your men will go above and beyond ordinary because there is no other way out ,and you cant stay where you are. Unless your enemy is a fool, he will just sit outside and leave you to die penned in. 

 

So having an adversarial interplay can keep you from getting your supply lines strung out    and is what keeps you from becoming an easy target. 

 

Welcome back to this thread, Stosh Tzu,

 

And thank you for your reply.

 

Please note that I acknowledged ST's reasoning (as summarized by you) repeatedly. See for instance:

 

 

 

58. Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.

 

59. For it is precisely when a force has fallen into harm's way that is capable of striking a blow for victory.

 

Which I commented on thusly:

 

 

 

Sun Tzu keeps emphasizing this principle throughout this chapter (and elsewhere).

 

So, for the sake of variety, I chose to highlight a different aspect in my second comment quoted by you. And I don't see any contradiction here, as the cornered soldiers will indeed try to get out of their situation as fast as they can - and their way will of necessity lead right through and over the enemy.

 

[Stosh]

Ok , leave it a draw , fight your way out , who knows ,, The rules don't decide which side wins , mistakes can work out peachy , and clever plans fall apart for no good reason.

Humility before the Great Dao , remembers this all. 

Edited March 9, 2017 by Stosh

[Michael Sternbach]

Lo and behold, brave soldiers of the Dao, here you have another chapter of Sun Tzu's timeless treatise, offered to you for your deep going consideration!  (Disclaimer: Kids, don't try any of this at home!)

 

XII. The Attack by Fire

1. Sun Tzu said: There are five ways of attacking with fire. The first is to burn soldiers in their camp; the second is to burn stores; the third is to burn baggage trains; the fourth is to burn arsenals and magazines; the fifth is to hurl dropping fire amongst the enemy.

2. In order to carry out an attack, we must have means available. The material for raising fire should always be kept in readiness.

3. There is a proper season for making attacks with fire, and special days for starting a conflagration.

4. The proper season is when the weather is very dry; the special days are those when the moon is in the constellations of the Sieve, the Wall, the Wing or the Cross-bar; for these four are all days of rising wind.

5. In attacking with fire, one should be prepared to meet five possible developments:

6. (1) When fire breaks out inside to enemy's camp, respond at once with an attack from without.

7. (2) If there is an outbreak of fire, but the enemy's soldiers remain quiet, bide your time and do not attack.

8. (3) When the force of the flames has reached its height, follow it up with an attack, if that is practicable; if not, stay where you are.

9. (4) If it is possible to make an assault with fire from without, do not wait for it to break out within, but deliver your attack at a favorable moment.

10. (5) When you start a fire, be to windward of it. Do not attack from the leeward.

11. A wind that rises in the daytime lasts long, but a night breeze soon falls.

12. In every army, the five developments connected with fire must be known, the movements of the stars calculated, and a watch kept for the proper days.

13. Hence those who use fire as an aid to the attack show intelligence; those who use water as an aid to the attack gain an accession of strength.

14. By means of water, an enemy may be intercepted, but not robbed of all his belongings.

15. Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise; for the result is waste of time and general stagnation.

16. Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.

17. Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical.

18. No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.

19. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.

20. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content.

21. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.

22. Hence the enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution. This is the way to keep a country at peace and an army intact.

[Marblehead]

Yes, fire creates all kinds of disorder.  With the troops in disorderly conduct they are easy to defeat.