The Art of War by Sun Tzu — Laying Plans

Sun Tzǔ said: The art of war is of vital importance to the State.

²It 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.

³The 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.

⁴These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.^†

⁵The 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.^†

⁶Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.

⁷Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.

⁸The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness.^†

⁹By 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.

¹⁰These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.

¹¹Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise:⁠—

¹²Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law?

¹³Which of the two generals has most ability?

¹⁴With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?

¹⁵On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?

¹⁶Which army is stronger?

¹⁷On which side are officers and men more highly trained?

¹⁸In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?

¹⁹By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.

²⁰The 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!

²¹While heeding the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules.

²²According as circumstances are favourable, one should modify one’s plans.

²³All warfare is based on deception.^†

²⁴Hence, 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.

²⁵Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.

²⁶If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.

²⁷If your opponent is of choleric temper,^† seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

²⁸If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.

²⁹Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

³⁰These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.

³¹Now 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.