Sun Tzu
- The Art of War: Laying Plans 24-25
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.
Sun Tzu
- The Art of War: Laying Plans 20-23
20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disor- der, 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 irri- tate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arro- gant. 23. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.
Sun Tzu
- The Art of War: Laying Plans 18-19
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.
Sun Tzu
- The Art of War: Laying Plans 16-17
16. While heading the profit of my counsel, avail your- self also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules. 17. According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one's plans.
Sun Tzu
- The Art of War: Laying Plans 14-15
14. By means of these seven considerations I can fore- cast 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 coun- sel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat:-let such a one be dismissed!
Sun Tzu
- The Art of War: Laying Plans 13
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? (6) On which side are officers and men more high- ly trained? (7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?
Sun Tzu
- The Art of War: Laying Plans 11-12
11. These five heads should be familiar to every gener- al: 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:-.
Sun Tzu
- Laying Plans 9-10
9. The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strict- ness. 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 mainte- nance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.
Sun Tzu
- Laying Plans 7-8
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.
Sun Tzu
- Laying Plans 5-6
5,6. The Moral Law causes the people to be in com- plete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any dan- ger.
Sun Tzu
- Laying Plans 3-4
3. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one's delib- erations, 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.
Sun Tzu
- Laying Plans 1-2
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.
