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The Art of War.

Sun-Tzu.

Contents
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Sun-zi. The Art of War.
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Contents
1. Laying Plans.
2. Waging War.
3. Attack by Stratagem. Click on a number in the chapter list to go
4. Tactical Dispositions. to the first page of that chapter.
5. Energy.
6. Weak Points and Strong. Note:
The best way to read this ebook is in Full
7. Maneuvering.
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8. Variation in Tactics. Adobe Acrobat to Full Screen View. This mode
9. The Army on the March. allows you to use Page Down to go to the next
10. Terrain. page, and affords the best reading view. Press
11. The Nine Situations. Escape to exit the Full Screen View.
12. The Attack by Fire.
13. The Use of Spies.
Contents
http://collegebookshelf.net 1
The Art of War. —1.—

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 fac-
tors, 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.
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7. Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times victory or defeat.
and seasons. 15. The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon
8. Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The
security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will
and death. suffer defeat:—let such a one be dismissed!
9. The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sin- 16. While heading the profit of my counsel, avail yourself
cerely, benevolence, courage and strictness. also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordi-
10. By method and discipline are to be understood the nary rules.
marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the gradu- 17. According as circumstances are favorable, one should
ations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads modify one’s plans.
by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of 18. All warfare is based on deception.
military expenditure. 19. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable;
11. These five heads should be familiar to every general: when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are
he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when
not will fail. far away, we must make him believe we are near.
12. Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to de- 20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder,
termine the military conditions, let them be made the basis and crush him.
of a comparison, in this wise:— 21. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he
13. (1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the is in superior strength, evade him.
Moral law? (2) Which of the two generals has most ability? 22. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate
(3) With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
Earth? (4) On which side is discipline most rigorously en- 23. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces
forced? (5) Which army is stronger? (6) On which side are are united, separate them.
officers and men more highly trained? (7) In which army is 24. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you
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there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment? are not expected.
14. By means of these seven considerations I can forecast 25. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be
divulged beforehand.
26. Now the general who wins a battle makes many calcu-
lations 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 de-
feat: 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.
—2.—
Waging War.
1. Sun Tzu said: In the operations of war, where there are
in the field a thousand swift chariots, as many heavy chariots,
and a hundred thousand mail-clad soldiers, with provisions
enough to carry them a thousand li, the expenditure at home
and at the front, including entertainment of guests, small items
such as glue and paint, and sums spent on chariots and armor,
will reach the total of a thousand ounces of silver per day.
Such is the cost of raising an army of 100,000 men.
2. When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long
in coming, then men’s weapons will grow dull and their ardor
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will be damped. If you lay siege to a town, you will exhaust

your strength.
3. Again, if the campaign is protracted, the resources of
the State will not be equal to the strain. 13,14. With this loss of substance and exhaustion of
4. Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardor strength, the homes of the people will be stripped bare, and
damped, your strength exhausted and your treasure spent, three-tenths of their income will be dissipated; while govern-
other chieftains will spring up to take advantage of your ex- ment expenses for broken chariots, worn-out horses, breast-
tremity. Then no man, however wise, will be able to avert the plates and helmets, bows and arrows, spears and shields, pro-
consequences that must ensue. tective mantles, draught-oxen and heavy wagons, will amount
5. Thus, though we have heard of stupid haste in war, clev- to four-tenths of its total revenue.
erness has never been seen associated with long delays. 15. Hence a wise general makes a point of foraging on the
6. There is no instance of a country having benefited from enemy. One cartload of the enemy’s provisions is equivalent
prolonged warfare. to twenty of one’s own, and likewise a single picul of his prov-
7. It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the ender is equivalent to twenty from one’s own store.
evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable 16. Now in order to kill the enemy, our men must be roused
way of carrying it on. to anger; that there may be advantage from defeating the en-
8. The skillful soldier does not raise a second levy, neither emy, they must have their rewards.
are his supply-wagons loaded more than twice. 17. Therefore in chariot fighting, when ten or more chari-
9. Bring war material with you from home, but forage on ots have been taken, those should be rewarded who took the
the enemy. Thus the army will have food enough for its needs. first. Our own flags should be substituted for those of the
10. Poverty of the State exchequer causes an army to be enemy, and the chariots mingled and used in conjunction with
maintained by contributions from a distance. Contributing ours. The captured soldiers should be kindly treated and kept.
to maintain an army at a distance causes the people to be 18. This is called, using the conquered foe to augment
impoverished. one’s own strength.
11. On the other hand, the proximity of an army causes 19. In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy
prices to go up; and high prices cause the people’s substance campaigns.
to be drained away. 20. Thus it may be known that the leader of armies is the
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12. When their substance is drained away, the peasantry arbiter of the people’s fate, the man on whom it depends
will be afflicted by heavy exactions. whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril.
4. The rule is, not to besiege walled cities if it can possibly

be avoided. The preparation of mantlets, movable shelters,
and various implements of war, will take up three whole
months; and the piling up of mounds over against the walls
will take three months more.
5. The general, unable to control his irritation, will launch
his men to the assault like swarming ants, with the result that
one-third of his men are slain, while the town still remains
untaken. Such are the disastrous effects of a siege.
6. Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy’s troops
—3.— without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying
Attack by Stratagem. siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy
operations in the field.
1. Sun Tzu said: In the practical art of war, the best thing 7. With his forces intact he will dispute the mastery of
of all is to take the enemy’s country whole and intact; to the Empire, and thus, without losing a man, his triumph will
shatter and destroy it is not so good. So, too, it is better to be complete. This is the method of attacking by stratagem.
recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regi- 8. It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy’s
ment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them. one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as
2. Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not numerous, to divide our army into two.
supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking 9. If equally matched, we can offer battle; if slightly infe-
the enemy’s resistance without fighting. rior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy; if quite unequal in
3. Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the every way, we can flee from him.
enemy’s plans; the next best is to prevent the junction of the 10. Hence, though an obstinate fight may be made by a
small force, in the end it must be captured by the larger force.
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enemy’s forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy’s army

in the field; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled 11. Now the general is the bulwark of the State; if the
cities. bulwark is complete at all points; the State will be strong; if
the bulwark is defective, the State will be weak. yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If
12. There are three ways in which a ruler can bring mis- you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained
fortune upon his army:— you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy
13. (1) By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called
hobbling the army.
14. (2) By attempting to govern an army in the same way
as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of the condi-
tions which obtain in an army. This causes restlessness in the
soldier’s minds.
15. (3) By employing the officers of his army without
discrimination, through ignorance of the military principle
of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of
the soldiers.
16. But when the army is restless and distrustful, trouble
is sure to come from the other feudal princes. This is simply
bringing anarchy into the army, and flinging victory away.
17. Thus we may know that there are five essentials for
victory: (1) He will win who knows when to fight and when
not to fight. (2) He will win who knows how to handle both
superior and inferior forces. (3) He will win whose army is
animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. (4) He
will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy un-
prepared. (5) He will win who has military capacity and is
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not interfered with by the sovereign.

18. Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know
attacking, a superabundance of strength.

7. The general who is skilled in defense hides in the most
secret recesses of the earth; he who is skilled in attack flashes
forth from the topmost heights of heaven. Thus on the one
hand we have ability to protect ourselves; on the other, a vic-
tory that is complete.
8. To see victory only when it is within the ken of the
common herd is not the acme of excellence.
9. Neither is it the acme of excellence if you fight and
conquer and the whole Empire says, “Well done!”
—4.— 10. To lift an autumn hair is no sign of great strength; to
Tactical Dispositions. see the sun and moon is no sign of sharp sight; to hear the
noise of thunder is no sign of a quick ear.
1. Sun Tzu said: The good fighters of old first put them- 11. What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who
selves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.
opportunity of defeating the enemy. 12. Hence his victories bring him neither reputation for
2. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, wisdom nor credit for courage.
but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by 13. He wins his battles by making no mistakes. Making
the enemy himself. 3. Thus the good fighter is able to secure no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it
himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.
the enemy. 14. Hence the skillful fighter puts himself into a position
4. Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer with- which makes defeat impossible, and does not miss the mo-
out being able to do it. ment for defeating the enemy.
15. Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only
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5. Security against defeat implies defensive tactics; ability

to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive. seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is
6. Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for vic-
tory.
16. The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and
strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his
power to control success.
17. In respect of military method, we have, firstly, Mea-
surement; secondly, Estimation of quantity; thirdly, Calcula-
tion; fourthly, Balancing of chances; fifthly, Victory.
18. Measurement owes its existence to Earth; Estimation
of quantity to Measurement; Calculation to Estimation of
quantity; Balancing of chances to Calculation; and Victory
to Balancing of chances. —5.—
19. A victorious army opposed to a routed one, is as a Energy.
pound’s weight placed in the scale against a single grain.
20. The onrush of a conquering force is like the bursting 1. Sun Tzu said: The control of a large force is the same
of pent-up waters into a chasm a thousand fathoms deep. principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question
of dividing up their numbers.
2. Fighting with a large army under your command is
nowise different from fighting with a small one: it is merely a
question of instituting signs and signals.
3. To ensure that your whole host may withstand the brunt
of the enemy’s attack and remain unshaken— this is effected
by maneuvers direct and indirect.
4. That the impact of your army may be like a grindstone
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dashed against an egg—this is effected by the science of weak

points and strong.
5. In all fighting, the direct method may be used for join-
ing battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to and prompt in his decision.
secure victory. 15. Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow;
6. Indirect tactics, efficiently applied, are inexhaustible as decision, to the releasing of a trigger.
Heaven and Earth, unending as the flow of rivers and streams; 16. Amid the turmoil and tumult of battle, there may be
like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the seeming disorder and yet no real disorder at all; amid confu-
four seasons, they pass away to return once more. sion and chaos, your array may be without head or tail, yet it
7. There are not more than five musical notes, yet the com- will be proof against defeat.
binations of these five give rise to more melodies than can 17. Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline, simu-
ever be heard. lated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates
8. There are not more than five primary colors (blue, yel- strength.
low, red, white, and black), yet in combination they produce 18. Hiding order beneath the cloak of disorder is simply a
more hues than can ever been seen. question of subdivision; concealing courage under a show of
9. There are not more than five cardinal tastes (sour, acrid, timidity presupposes a fund of latent energy; masking strength
salt, sweet, bitter), yet combinations of them yield more fla- with weakness is to be effected by tactical dispositions.
vors than can ever be tasted. 19. Thus one who is skillful at keeping the enemy on the
10. In battle, there are not more than two methods of move maintains deceitful appearances, according to which the
attack—the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combi- enemy will act. He sacrifices something, that the enemy may
nation give rise to an endless series of maneuvers. snatch at it.
11. The direct and the indirect lead on to each other in 20. By holding out baits, he keeps him on the march; then
turn. It is like moving in a circle—you never come to an end. with a body of picked men he lies in wait for him.
Who can exhaust the possibilities of their combination? 21. The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined
12. The onset of troops is like the rush of a torrent which energy, and does not require too much from individuals.
will even roll stones along in its course. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilize com-
13. The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop bined energy.
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of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim. 22. When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men
14. Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the
nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground,

and to move when on a slope; if four-cornered, to come to a
standstill, but if round-shaped, to go rolling down.
23. Thus the energy developed by good fighting men is as
the momentum of a round stone rolled down a mountain
thousands of feet in height. So much on the subject of en-
ergy.
—6.—
Weak Points and Strong.
1. Sun Tzu said: Whoever is first in the field and awaits
the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever
is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive
exhausted.
2. Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the
enemy, but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on
him.
3. By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the
enemy to approach of his own accord; or, by inflicting dam-
age, he can make it impossible for the enemy to draw near.
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4. If the enemy is taking his ease, he can harass him; if

well supplied with food, he can starve him out; if quietly
encamped, he can force him to move.
5. Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to de- 13. By discovering the enemy’s dispositions and remain-
fend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected. ing invisible ourselves, we can keep our forces concentrated,
6. An army may march great distances without distress, if while the enemy’s must be divided.
it marches through country where the enemy is not. 14. We can form a single united body, while the enemy
7. You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you must split up into fractions. Hence there will be a whole pit-
only attack places which are undefended.You can ensure the ted against separate parts of a whole, which means that we
safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot shall be many to the enemy’s few.
be attacked. 15. And if we are able thus to attack an inferior force with
8. Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent a superior one, our opponents will be in dire straits.
does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense 16. The spot where we intend to fight must not be made
whose opponent does not know what to attack. known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a pos-
9. O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we sible attack at several different points; and his forces being
learn to be invisible, through you inaudible; and hence we thus distributed in many directions, the numbers we shall
can hold the enemy’s fate in our hands. have to face at any given point will be proportionately few.
10. You may advance and be absolutely irresistible, if you 17. For should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken
make for the enemy’s weak points; you may retire and be safe his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will weaken his van;
from pursuit if your movements are more rapid than those of should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right; should
the enemy. he strengthen his right, he will weaken his left. If he sends
11. If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.
engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high ram- 18. Numerical weakness comes from having to prepare
part and a deep ditch. All we need do is attack some other against possible attacks; numerical strength, from compelling
place that he will be obliged to relieve. our adversary to make these preparations against us.
12. If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy 19. Knowing the place and the time of the coming battle,
from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment we may concentrate from the greatest distances in order to
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be merely traced out on the ground. All we need do is to fight.

throw something odd and unaccountable in his way. 20. But if neither time nor place be known, then the left
wing will be impotent to succor the right, the right equally what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is
impotent to succor the left, the van unable to relieve the rear, evolved.
or the rear to support the van. How much more so if the 28. Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one
furthest portions of the army are anything under a hundred victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite
LI apart, and even the nearest are separated by several LI! variety of circumstances.
21. Though according to my estimate the soldiers of Yueh 29. Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its
exceed our own in number, that shall advantage them noth- natural course runs away from high places and hastens down-
ing in the matter of victory. I say then that victory can be wards.
achieved. 30. So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to
22. Though the enemy be stronger in numbers, we may strike at what is weak.
prevent him from fighting. Scheme so as to discover his plans 31. Water shapes its course according to the nature of the
and the likelihood of their success. ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory
23. Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or in relation to the foe whom he is facing.
inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his 32. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so
vulnerable spots. in warfare there are no constant conditions.
24. Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, 33. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his oppo-
so that you may know where strength is superabundant and nent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-
where it is deficient. born captain.
25. In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you 34. The five elements (water, fire, wood, metal, earth) are
can attain is to conceal them; conceal your dispositions, and not always equally predominant; the four seasons make way
you will be safe from the prying of the subtlest spies, from for each other in turn. There are short days and long; the
the machinations of the wisest brains. moon has its periods of waning and waxing.
26. How victory may be produced for them out of the
enemy’s own tactics—that is what the multitude cannot com-
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prehend.
27. All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but
5. Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an

undisciplined multitude, most dangerous.
6. If you set a fully equipped army in march in order to
snatch an advantage, the chances are that you will be too late.
On the other hand, to detach a flying column for the purpose
involves the sacrifice of its baggage and stores.
7. Thus, if you order your men to roll up their buff-coats,
and make forced marches without halting day or night, cov-
ering double the usual distance at a stretch, doing a hundred
LI in order to wrest an advantage, the leaders of all your three
—7.— divisions will fall into the hands of the enemy.
Maneuvering. 8. The stronger men will be in front, the jaded ones will
fall behind, and on this plan only one-tenth of your army
1. Sun Tzu said: In war, the general receives his com- will reach its destination.
mands from the sovereign. 9. If you march fifty LI in order to outmaneuver the en-
2. Having collected an army and concentrated his forces, emy, you will lose the leader of your first division, and only
he must blend and harmonize the different elements thereof half your force will reach the goal.
before pitching his camp. 10. If you march thirty LI with the same object, two-
3. After that, comes tactical maneuvering, than which there thirds of your army will arrive.
is nothing more difficult. The difficulty of tactical maneu- 11. We may take it then that an army without its bag-
vering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and gage-train is lost; without provisions it is lost; without bases
misfortune into gain. of supply it is lost.
4. Thus, to take a long and circuitous route, after enticing 12. We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted
with the designs of our neighbors.
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the enemy out of the way, and though starting after him, to
contrive to reach the goal before him, shows knowledge of the 13. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we
artifice of DEVIATION. are familiar with the face of the country—its mountains and
forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. possible either for the brave to advance alone, or for the cow-
14. We shall be unable to turn natural advantage to ac- ardly to retreat alone. This is the art of handling large masses
count unless we make use of local guides. of men.
15. In war, practice dissimulation, and you will succeed. 26. In night-fighting, then, make much use of signal-fires
16. Whether to concentrate or to divide your troops, must and drums, and in fighting by day, of flags and banners, as a
be decided by circumstances. means of influencing the ears and eyes of your army.
17. Let your rapidity be that of the wind, your compact- 27. A whole army may be robbed of its spirit; a com-
ness that of the forest. mander-in-chief may be robbed of his presence of mind.
18. In raiding and plundering be like fire, is immovability 28. Now a soldier’s spirit is keenest in the morning; by
like a mountain. noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is
19. Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and bent only on returning to camp.
when you move, fall like a thunderbolt. 29. A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when its
20. When you plunder a countryside, let the spoil be di- spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to
vided amongst your men; when you capture new territory, return. This is the art of studying moods.
cut it up into allotments for the benefit of the soldiery. 30. Disciplined and calm, to await the appearance of dis-
21. Ponder and deliberate before you make a move. order and hubbub amongst the enemy:—this is the art of
22. He will conquer who has learnt the artifice of devia- retaining self-possession.
tion. Such is the art of maneuvering. 31. To be near the goal while the enemy is still far from it,
23. The Book of Army Management says: On the field of to wait at ease while the enemy is toiling and struggling, to be
battle, the spoken word does not carry far enough: hence the well-fed while the enemy is famished:—this is the art of
institution of gongs and drums. Nor can ordinary objects be husbanding one’s strength.
seen clearly enough: hence the institution of banners and flags. 32. To refrain from intercepting an enemy whose banners
24. Gongs and drums, banners and flags, are means whereby are in perfect order, to refrain from attacking an army drawn
the ears and eyes of the host may be focused on one particular up in calm and confident array:—this is the art of studying
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point. circumstances.
25. The host thus forming a single united body, is it im- 33. It is a military axiom not to advance uphill against the
enemy, nor to oppose him when he comes downhill.

34. Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight; do not
attack soldiers whose temper is keen.
35. Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not
interfere with an army that is returning home.
36. When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do
not press a desperate foe too hard.
37. Such is the art of warfare.
—8.—
Variation in Tactics.
1. Sun Tzu said: In war, the general receives his com-
mands from the sovereign, collects his army and concentrates
his forces
2. When in difficult country, do not encamp. In country
where high roads intersect, join hands with your allies. Do
not linger in dangerously isolated positions. In hemmed-in
situations, you must resort to stratagem. In desperate posi-
tion, you must fight.
3. There are roads which must not be followed, armies
which must be not attacked, towns which must not be be-
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sieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of

the sovereign which must not be obeyed.
4. The general who thoroughly understands the advan-
tages that accompany variation of tactics knows how to handle ardice, which leads to capture; (3) a hasty temper, which can
his troops. be provoked by insults; (4) a delicacy of honor which is sen-
5. The general who does not understand these, may be sitive to shame; (5) over-solicitude for his men, which ex-
well acquainted with the configuration of the country, yet he poses him to worry and trouble.
will not be able to turn his knowledge to practical account. 13. These are the five besetting sins of a general, ruinous
6. So, the student of war who is unversed in the art of war to the conduct of war.
of varying his plans, even though he be acquainted with the 14. When an army is overthrown and its leader slain, the
Five Advantages, will fail to make the best use of his men. cause will surely be found among these five dangerous faults.
7. Hence in the wise leader’s plans, considerations of ad- Let them be a subject of meditation.
vantage and of disadvantage will be blended together.
8. If our expectation of advantage be tempered in this way,
we may succeed in accomplishing the essential part of our
schemes.
9. If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we are
always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves
from misfortune.
10. Reduce the hostile chiefs by inflicting damage on them;
and make trouble for them, and keep them constantly en-
gaged; hold out specious allurements, and make them rush to
any given point.
11. The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood
of the enemy’s not coming, but on our own readiness to re-
ceive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather
on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.
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12. There are five dangerous faults which may affect a

general: (1) Recklessness, which leads to destruction; (2) cow-
6. Moor your craft higher up than the enemy, and facing

the sun. Do not move up-stream to meet the enemy. So much
for river warfare.
7. In crossing salt-marshes, your sole concern should be to
get over them quickly, without any delay.
8. If forced to fight in a salt-marsh, you should have water
and grass near you, and get your back to a clump of trees. So
much for operations in salt-marches.
9. In dry, level country, take up an easily accessible posi-
tion with rising ground to your right and on your rear, so that
—9.— the danger may be in front, and safety lie behind. So much
The Army on the March. for campaigning in flat country.
10. These are the four useful branches of military knowl-
1. Sun Tzu said: We come now to the question of en- edge which enabled the Yellow Emperor to vanquish four
camping the army, and observing signs of the enemy. Pass several sovereigns.
quickly over mountains, and keep in the neighborhood of val- 11. All armies prefer high ground to low and sunny places
leys. to dark.
2. Camp in high places, facing the sun. Do not climb 12. If you are careful of your men, and camp on hard
heights in order to fight. So much for mountain warfare. ground, the army will be free from disease of every kind, and
3. After crossing a river, you should get far away from it. this will spell victory.
4. When an invading force crosses a river in its onward 13. When you come to a hill or a bank, occupy the sunny
march, do not advance to meet it in mid-stream. It will be side, with the slope on your right rear. Thus you will at once
best to let half the army get across, and then deliver your act for the benefit of your soldiers and utilize the natural
advantages of the ground.
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attack.
5. If you are anxious to fight, you should not go to meet 14. When, in consequence of heavy rains up-country, a
the invader near a river which he has to cross. river which you wish to ford is swollen and flecked with foam,
you must wait until it subsides. coming.

15. Country in which there are precipitous cliffs with tor- 23. When there is dust rising in a high column, it is the
rents running between, deep natural hollows, confined places, sign of chariots advancing; when the dust is low, but spread
tangled thickets, quagmires and crevasses, should be left with over a wide area, it betokens the approach of infantry. When
all possible speed and not approached. it branches out in different directions, it shows that parties
16. While we keep away from such places, we should get have been sent to collect firewood. A few clouds of dust mov-
the enemy to approach them; while we face them, we should ing to and fro signify that the army is encamping.
let the enemy have them on his rear. 24. Humble words and increased preparations are signs
17. If in the neighborhood of your camp there should be that the enemy is about to advance. Violent language and
any hilly country, ponds surrounded by aquatic grass, hollow driving forward as if to the attack are signs that he will re-
basins filled with reeds, or woods with thick undergrowth, treat.
they must be carefully routed out and searched; for these are 25. When the light chariots come out first and take up a
places where men in ambush or insidious spies are likely to be position on the wings, it is a sign that the enemy is forming
lurking. for battle.
18. When the enemy is close at hand and remains quiet, 26. Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant
he is relying on the natural strength of his position. indicate a plot.
19. When he keeps aloof and tries to provoke a battle, he 27. When there is much running about and the soldiers
is anxious for the other side to advance. fall into rank, it means that the critical moment has come.
20. If his place of encampment is easy of access, he is ten- 28. When some are seen advancing and some retreating, it
dering a bait. is a lure.
21. Movement amongst the trees of a forest shows that 29. When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they
the enemy is advancing. The appearance of a number of screens are faint from want of food.
in the midst of thick grass means that the enemy wants to 30. If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking
make us suspicious. themselves, the army is suffering from thirst.
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22. The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an 31. If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained and makes
ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is no effort to secure it, the soldiers are exhausted.
32. If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied. Clamor that is amply sufficient; it only means that no direct attack
by night betokens nervousness. can be made. What we can do is simply to concentrate all our
33. If there is disturbance in the camp, the general’s au- available strength, keep a close watch on the enemy, and ob-
thority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, tain reinforcements.
sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the 41. He who exercises no forethought but makes light of
men are weary. his opponents is sure to be captured by them.
34. When an army feeds its horses with grain and kills its 42. If soldiers are punished before they have grown at-
cattle for food, and when the men do not hang their cooking- tached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless
pots over the camp-fires, showing that they will not return to submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the sol-
their tents, you may know that they are determined to fight diers have become attached to you, punishments are not en-
to the death. forced, they will still be useless.
35. The sight of men whispering together in small knots 43. Therefore soldiers must be treated in the first instance
or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron dis-
the rank and file. cipline. This is a certain road to victory.
36. Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at the 44. If in training soldiers commands are habitually en-
end of his resources; too many punishments betray a condi- forced, the army will be well-disciplined; if not, its discipline
tion of dire distress. will be bad.
37. To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at 45. If a general shows confidence in his men but always
the enemy’s numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence. insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.
38. When envoys are sent with compliments in their
mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.
39. If the enemy’s troops march up angrily and remain
facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or
taking themselves off again, the situation is one that demands
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great vigilance and circumspection.

40. If our troops are no more in number than the enemy,
you may sally forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is pre-
pared for your coming, and you fail to defeat him, then, re-
turn 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.
—10.— 8. With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them
Terrain. first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of
the enemy.
1. Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, 9. Should the army forestall you in occupying a pass, do
to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) tem- not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it is
porizing ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; weakly garrisoned.
(6) positions at a great distance from the enemy. 10. With regard to precipitous heights, if you are before-
2. Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is hand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and
called accessible. sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up.
3. With regard to ground of this nature, be before the 11. If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not
enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.
guard your line of supplies. Then you will be able to fight 12. If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy,
with advantage. and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to
provoke a battle, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.
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4. Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-

occupy is called entangling. 13. These six are the principles connected with Earth. The
5. From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, general who has attained a responsible post must be careful to
study them. rout.

14. Now an army is exposed to six several calamities, not 20. These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be
arising from natural causes, but from faults for which the carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible
general is responsible. These are: (1) Flight; (2) insubordina- post.
tion; (3) collapse; (4) ruin; (5) disorganization; (6) rout. 21. The natural formation of the country is the soldier’s
15. Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled best ally; but a power of estimating the adversary, of control-
against another ten times its size, the result will be the flight ling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating diffi-
of the former. culties, dangers and distances, constitutes the test of a great
16. When the common soldiers are too strong and their general.
officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the 22. He who knows these things, and in fighting puts his
officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows
result is collapse. them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.
17. When the higher officers are angry and insubordi- 23. If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must
nate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own ac- fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not
count from a feeling of resentment, before the commander- result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler’s
in-chief can tell whether or not he is in a position to fight, the bidding.
result is ruin. 24. The general who advances without coveting fame and
18. When the general is weak and without authority; when retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to
his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixes protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is
duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed the jewel of the kingdom.
in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorgani- 25. Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will
zation. follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your
19. When a general, unable to estimate the enemy’s own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.
strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or 26. If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make
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hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one, and neglects your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your
to place picked soldiers in the front rank, the result must be commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then
your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are use-

less 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 un-
aware that the nature of the ground makes fighting impracti- —11.—
cable, we have still gone only halfway towards victory. The Nine Situations.
30. Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never
bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss. 1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war recognizes nine varieties
31. Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know of ground: (1) Dispersive ground; (2) facile ground; (3) con-
yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know tentious ground; (4) open ground; (5) ground of intersecting
Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory com- highways; (6) serious ground; (7) difficult ground; (8)
plete. hemmed-in ground; (9) desperate ground.
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 advan-
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tage 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, hinder the good troops from rescuing the bad, the officers
so that he who occupies it first has most of the Empire at his from rallying their men.
command, is a ground of intersecting highways. 16. When the enemy’s men were united, they managed to
7. When an army has penetrated into the heart of a hos- keep them in disorder.
tile country, leaving a number of fortified cities in its rear, it is 17. When it was to their advantage, they made a forward
serious ground. move; when otherwise, they stopped still.
8. Mountain forests, rugged steeps, marshes and fens—all 18. If asked how to cope with a great host of the enemy in
country that is hard to traverse: this is difficult ground. orderly array and on the point of marching to the attack, I
9. Ground which is reached through narrow gorges, and should say: “Begin by seizing something which your oppo-
from which we can only retire by tortuous paths, so that a nent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.”
small number of the enemy would suffice to crush a large 19. Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the
body of our men: this is hemmed in ground. enemy’s unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes,
10. Ground on which we can only be saved from destruc- and attack unguarded spots.
tion by fighting without delay, is desperate ground. 20. The following are the principles to be observed by an
11. On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not. On facile invading force: The further you penetrate into a country, the
ground, halt not. On contentious ground, attack not. greater will be the solidarity of your troops, and thus the de-
12. On open ground, do not try to block the enemy’s way. fenders will not prevail against you.
On the ground of intersecting highways, join hands with your 21. Make forays in fertile country in order to supply your
allies. army with food.
13. On serious ground, gather in plunder. In difficult 22. Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do
ground, keep steadily on the march. not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your
14. On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem. On des- strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and de-
perate ground, fight. vise unfathomable plans.
15. Those who were called skillful leaders of old knew how 23. Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no
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to drive a wedge between the enemy’s front and rear; to pre- escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face
vent co-operation between his large and small divisions; to death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and
men alike will put forth their uttermost strength. both.

24. Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. 30. Asked if an army can be made to imitate the shuai-
If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are jan, I should answer, Yes. For the men of Wu and the men of
in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is Yueh are enemies; yet if they are crossing a river in the same
no help for it, they will fight hard. boat and are caught by a storm, they will come to each other’s
25. Thus, without waiting to be marshaled, the soldiers assistance just as the left hand helps the right.
will be constantly on the qui vive; without waiting to be asked, 31. Hence it is not enough to put one’s trust in the teth-
they will do your will; without restrictions, they will be faith- ering of horses, and the burying of chariot wheels in the ground
ful; without giving orders, they can be trusted. 32. The principle on which to manage an army is to set up
26. Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with su- one standard of courage which all must reach.
perstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calam- 33. How to make the best of both strong and weak—that
ity need be feared. is a question involving the proper use of ground.
27. If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is 34. Thus the skillful general conducts his army just as
not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.
unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longev- 35. It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus
ity. ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order.
28. On the day they are ordered out to battle, your sol- 36. He must be able to mystify his officers and men by
diers may weep, those sitting up bedewing their garments, false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total
and those lying down letting the tears run down their cheeks. ignorance.
But let them once be brought to bay, and they will display 37. By altering his arrangements and changing his plans,
the courage of a Chu or a Kuei. he keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. By shifting
29. The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. his camp and taking circuitous routes, he prevents the enemy
Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the ChUng from anticipating his purpose.
mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its 38. At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like
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tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the
strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail ladder behind him. He carries his men deep into hostile ter-
ritory before he shows his hand. 47. On contentious ground, I would hurry up my rear.
39. He burns his boats and breaks his cooking-pots; like a 48. On open ground, I would keep a vigilant eye on my
shepherd driving a flock of sheep, he drives his men this way defenses. On ground of intersecting highways, I would con-
and that, and nothing knows whither he is going. solidate my alliances.
40. To muster his host and bring it into danger:—this 49. On serious ground, I would try to ensure a continu-
may be termed the business of the general. ous stream of supplies. On difficult ground, I would keep
41. The different measures suited to the nine varieties of pushing on along the road.
ground; the expediency of aggressive or defensive tactics; and 50. On hemmed-in ground, I would block any way of
the fundamental laws of human nature: these are things that retreat. On desperate ground, I would proclaim to my sol-
must most certainly be studied. diers the hopelessness of saving their lives.
42. When invading hostile territory, the general principle 51. For it is the soldier’s disposition to offer an obstinate
is, that penetrating deeply brings cohesion; penetrating but a resistance when surrounded, to fight hard when he cannot
short way means dispersion. help himself, and to obey promptly when he has fallen into
43. When you leave your own country behind, and take danger.
your army across neighborhood territory, you find yourself 52. We cannot enter into alliance with neighboring princes
on critical ground. When there are means of communication until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to
on all four sides, the ground is one of intersecting highways. lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the
44. When you penetrate deeply into a country, it is seri- face of the country—its mountains and forests, its pitfalls
ous ground. When you penetrate but a little way, it is facile and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable
ground. to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of
45. When you have the enemy’s strongholds on your rear, local guides.
and narrow passes in front, it is hemmed-in ground. When 53. To be ignored of any one of the following four or five
there is no place of refuge at all, it is desperate ground. principles does not befit a warlike prince.
46. Therefore, on dispersive ground, I would inspire my 54. When a warlike prince attacks a powerful state, his
Contents
men with unity of purpose. On facile ground, I would see generalship shows itself in preventing the concentration of
that there is close connection between all parts of my army. the enemy’s forces. He overawes his opponents, and their al-
lies are prevented from joining against him. sage of all emissaries.
55. Hence he does not strive to ally himself with all and 64. Be stern in the council-chamber, so that you may con-
sundry, nor does he foster the power of other states. He car- trol the situation.
ries out his own secret designs, keeping his antagonists in awe. 65. If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.
Thus he is able to capture their cities and overthrow their 66. Forestall your opponent by seizing what he holds dear,
kingdoms. and subtly contrive to time his arrival on the ground.
56. Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders 67. Walk in the path defined by rule, and accommodate
without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able yourself to the enemy until you can fight a decisive battle.
to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a 68. At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until
single man. the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the ra-
57. Confront your soldiers with the deed itself; never let pidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy
them know your design. When the outlook is bright, bring it to oppose you.
before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is
gloomy.
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.
60. Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodat-
ing ourselves to the enemy’s purpose.
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.
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63. On the day that you take up your command, block the
frontier passes, destroy the official tallies, and stop the pas-
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, re-
spond at once with an attack from without.
7. (2) If there is an outbreak of fire, but the enemy’s sol-
diers 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.
—12.— 9. (4) If it is possible to make an assault with fire from
The Attack by Fire. without, do not wait for it to break out within, but deliver
your attack at a favorable moment.
1. Sun Tzu said: There are five ways of attacking with 10. (5) When you start a fire, be to windward of it. Do
fire. The first is to burn soldiers in their camp; the second is not attack from the leeward.
to burn stores; the third is to burn baggage trains; the fourth 11. A wind that rises in the daytime lasts long, but a night
is to burn arsenals and magazines; the fifth is to hurl drop- breeze soon falls.
ping fire amongst the enemy. 12. In every army, the five developments connected with
2. In order to carry out an attack, we must have means fire must be known, the movements of the stars calculated,
available. The material for raising fire should always be kept and a watch kept for the proper days.
in readiness. 13. Hence those who use fire as an aid to the attack show
3. There is a proper season for making attacks with fire, intelligence; those who use water as an aid to the attack gain
and special days for starting a conflagration. an accession of strength.
14. By means of water, an enemy may be intercepted, but
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4. The proper season is when the weather is very dry; the

special days are those when the moon is in the constellations not robbed of all his belongings.
of the Sieve, the Wall, the Wing or the Cross-bar; for these 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 stagna-
tion.
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 un-
less 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 sim-
ply out of pique. —13.—
19. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, The Use of Spies.
stay where you are.
20. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may 1. Sun Tzu said: Raising a host of a hundred thousand
be succeeded by content. men and marching them great distances entails heavy loss on
21. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never the people and a drain on the resources of the State. The daily
come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back expenditure will amount to a thousand ounces of silver. There
to life. will be commotion at home and abroad, and men will drop
22. Hence the enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good down exhausted on the highways. As many as seven hundred
general full of caution. This is the way to keep a country at thousand families will be impeded in their labor.
peace and an army intact. 2. Hostile armies may face each other for years, striving
for the victory which is decided in a single day. This being so,
to remain in ignorance of the enemy’s condition simply be-
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cause one grudges the outlay of a hundred ounces of silver in

honors and emoluments, is the height of inhumanity.
3. One who acts thus is no leader of men, no present help
to his sovereign, no master of victory. 14. Hence it is that which none in the whole army are
4. Thus, what enables the wise sovereign and the good more intimate relations to be maintained than with spies. None
general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the should be more liberally rewarded. In no other business should
reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge. greater secrecy be preserved.
5. Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spir- 15. Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain
its; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by intuitive sagacity.
any deductive calculation. 16. They cannot be properly managed without benevo-
6. Knowledge of the enemy’s dispositions can only be ob- lence and straightforwardness.
tained from other men. 17. Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make
7. Hence the use of spies, of whom there are five classes: certain of the truth of their reports.
(1) Local spies; (2) inward spies; (3) converted spies; (4) 18. Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind
doomed spies; (5) surviving spies. of business.
8. When these five kinds of spy are all at work, none can 19. If a secret piece of news is divulged by a spy before the
discover the secret system. This is called “divine manipulation time is ripe, he must be put to death together with the man
of the threads.” It is the sovereign’s most precious faculty. to whom the secret was told.
9. Having local spies means employing the services of the 20. Whether the object be to crush an army, to storm a
inhabitants of a district. city, or to assassinate an individual, it is always necessary to
10. Having inward spies, making use of officials of the begin by finding out the names of the attendants, the aides-
enemy. de-camp, and door-keepers and sentries of the general in com-
11. Having converted spies, getting hold of the enemy’s mand. Our spies must be commissioned to ascertain these.
spies and using them for our own purposes. 21. The enemy’s spies who have come to spy on us must
12. Having doomed spies, doing certain things openly for be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfort-
purposes of deception, and allowing our spies to know of them ably housed. Thus they will become converted spies and avail-
and report them to the enemy. able for our service.
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13. Surviving spies, finally, are those who bring back news 22. It is through the information brought by the con-
from the enemy’s camp. verted spy that we are able to acquire and employ local and
inward spies.
23. It is owing to his information, again, that we can cause
the doomed spy to carry false tidings to the enemy.
24. Lastly, it is by his information that the surviving spy
can be used on appointed occasions.
25. The end and aim of spying in all its five varieties is
knowledge of the enemy; and this knowledge can only be
derived, in the first instance, from the converted spy. Hence it
is essential that the converted spy be treated with the utmost
liberality.
26. Of old, the rise of the Yin dynasty was due to I Chih
who had served under the Hsia. Likewise, the rise of the Chou
dynasty was due to Lu Ya who had served under the Yin.
27. Hence it is only the enlightened ruler and the wise
general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for
purposes of spying and thereby they achieve great results. Spies
are a most important element in water, because on them de-
pends an army’s ability to move.
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The Art of War. Sun-Tzu.: Purchase The Entire Coradella Collegiate Bookshelf On CD at

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Coradella Collegiate Bookshelf Editions.

The Art of War.

Purchase the entire

The Art of War. —1.—

NOTICE 5,6. The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete

will be damped. If you lay siege to a town, you will exhaust

4. The rule is, not to besiege walled cities if it can possibly

enemy’s forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy’s army

not interfered with by the sovereign.

attacking, a superabundance of strength.

5. Security against defeat implies defensive tactics; ability

dashed against an egg—this is effected by the science of weak

nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground,

4. If the enemy is taking his ease, he can harass him; if

be merely traced out on the ground. All we need do is to fight.

5. Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an

enemy, nor to oppose him when he comes downhill.

sieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of

12. There are five dangerous faults which may affect a

6. Moor your craft higher up than the enemy, and facing

you must wait until it subsides. coming.

great vigilance and circumspection.

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

study them. rout.

your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are use-

tage to either side, is contentious ground.

men alike will put forth their uttermost strength. both.

four are all days of rising wind.

4. The proper season is when the weather is very dry; the

and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of

cause one grudges the outlay of a hundred ounces of silver in

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