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I. START PLANNING
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1. Sun Tzu said:
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The art of war is of vital importance to the State.
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It is a matter of life and death,
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It is a road either to safety or to ruin.
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It is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.
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[Constant Factors]
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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.-
(1) The Moral Law;
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5,6. 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.
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(2) Heaven;
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night and day,
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cold and heat,
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times and seasons.
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(3) Earth;
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distances, great and small;
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danger and security;
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open ground and narrow passes;
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the chances of life and death.
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(4) The Commander;
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9. stands for
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the virtues of wisdom,
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sincerity,
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benevolence,
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courage and
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strictness.
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(5) Method and discipline.
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the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions,
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the graduations of rank among the officers,
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the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and
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the control of military expenditure.
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11. These five heads should be familiar to every commander:
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he who knows them will be victorious;
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he who knows them not will fail.
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[Deliberations]
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12. Therefore, in your deliberations,
when seeking to determine the military conditions,
let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise:-
(1) Which of the two sovereigns is ingrained with the Moral law?
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(2) Which of the two commanders has most ability?
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(3) With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?
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(4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?
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(5) Which army is stronger?
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(6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained?
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(7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?
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14. By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.
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15. The commander who
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listens to my counsel and acts upon it:
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He will conquer:
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let such a one be retained in command!
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else
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He will suffer defeat:
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let such a one be dismissed!
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16. While heading the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules.
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17. According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one's plans.
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[Deception]
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18. All warfare is based on deception. So,
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when able to attack,
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we must seem unable;
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when using our forces,
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we must seem inactive;
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when we are near,
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we must make the enemy believe we are far away;
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when far away,
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we must make him believe we are near.
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when seducible
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trap the enemy;
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when disorganized
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capture him
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when he is secure at all points,
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be prepared for him.
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when he has superior strength,
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evade him
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when your opponent is furious,
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seek to irritate him.
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when he may grow arrogant,
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pretend to be weak.
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when he is taking his ease,
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give him no rest.
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when his forces are united,
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separate them.
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where he is unprepared,
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attack him
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where you are not expected.
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appear.
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25. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.
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[Calculations]
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The commander who makes calculations in his temple before the battle is fought:
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if they are many
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he wins a battle
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if they are few
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he loses a battle
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What if there are no calculation at all?
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It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.
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