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The Art of War

by Sun Tzu in books and poetry

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The Art of War is a Chinese military treatise written during the 6th c.BC by Sun Tzu. Composed of 13 chapters, each of which devoted to an aspect of warfare, it has long been praised as the timeless definitive work on military strategies and tactics.

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The Art of War

I. 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?

2

(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.