The Art of War and the 36 Stratagems - (New Century Popular Edition)

Author: Sun Tzu (Spring and Autumn Period)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features:
【Original Text】Sun Tzu said: War is the most important matter of a state, the place of life and death, the way of survival and destruction, and it must not be neglected. Therefore, we must analyze and weigh it with five factors, compare it with calculations, and seek its truth:
1. The way
2. Heaven
3. Earth
4. The general
5. Method
The way means making the people of the state share the same purpose as their ruler, so that they can die and live without hesitation and fear danger. Heaven refers to the alternation of yin and yang, the changes of cold and heat, and the seasons. Earth refers to high and low, near and far, danger and ease, width and narrowness, life and death. The general refers to wisdom, trustworthiness, benevolence, courage, and strictness. Method refers to the organization of troops, the roles of officials, and the management of military supplies. All these five factors, as a general, must not be ignored. Those who understand them will win, and those who do not will not. Therefore, by comparing the calculations of both sides and seeking the truth, we ask:
- Which ruler is virtuous?
- Which general is capable?
- Which side has the advantage of heaven and earth?
- Which side can enforce the laws and orders?
- Which side has a stronger army?
- Which side has more disciplined soldiers?
- Which side has clearer rewards and punishments?
Based on these, I can determine who will win and who will lose. If the general follows my advice, victory is certain, and I will stay. If the general does not follow my advice, defeat is certain, and I will leave. When the plan is adopted and executed, we must create a situation to support our actions after going into battle. This situation means using advantages to flexibly control the initiative in battle. War is the art of deception. Therefore, if you are capable, show yourself as incapable; if you intend to attack, show that you do not intend to attack; if you intend to move near, show that you intend to move far; and if you intend to move far, show that you intend to move near. If the enemy is greedy for profit, use small gains to lure them. If the enemy is in chaos, seize the opportunity to attack them. If the enemy is strong, prepare to defend against them. If the enemy is powerful, avoid them. If the enemy is angry, provoke them. If the enemy is humble, make them arrogant. If the enemy is at ease, tire them out. If the enemy is harmonious, sow discord among them. Attack where the enemy is unprepared and strike when they least expect it. This is the secret of victory in war, which cannot be revealed in advance. Those who win before battle have made thorough calculations, while those who lose before battle have made insufficient calculations. Thorough calculations lead to victory, insufficient calculations lead to defeat, and what about no calculations at all? Based on these, I can see who will win and who will lose.
【Translation】Sun Tzu said: War is the most important matter of a state. In war, the quality of the terrain and the survival or destruction of the state cannot be thoroughly investigated without careful consideration. Therefore, we must analyze and weigh it with the following five factors, compare it through calculations, and explore the situation of victory or defeat in war. These five factors are:
1. Morality
2. Heaven (timing)
3. Earth (terrain)
4. The general
5. Regulations
Morality means making the people of the state share the same purpose as their ruler, so that they can die and live without hesitation and fear danger. Heaven refers to the alternation of yin and yang, the changes of cold and heat, and the seasons. Earth refers to the high and low, near and far, danger and ease, width and narrowness, life and death. The general refers to the wisdom, trustworthiness, benevolence, courage, and strictness of the commander. Regulations refer to the organization of troops, the roles of officials, and the management of military supplies. All these five factors, as a general, must not be ignored. Those who understand them will win, and those who do not will not. Therefore, by comparing the calculations of both sides and seeking the truth, we ask:
- Which ruler is virtuous?
- Which general is capable?
- Which side has the advantage of heaven and earth?
- Which side can enforce the laws and orders?
- Which side has a stronger army?
- Which side has more disciplined soldiers?
- Which side has clearer rewards and punishments?
Based on these, I can determine who will win and who will lose. If the general follows my advice, victory is certain, and I will stay. If the general does not follow my advice, defeat is certain, and I will leave. When the plan is adopted and executed, we must create a situation to support our actions after going into battle. This situation means using advantages to flexibly control the initiative in battle. War is the art of deception. Therefore, if you are capable, show yourself as incapable; if you intend to attack, show that you do not intend to attack; if you intend to move near, show that you intend to move far; and if you intend to move far, show that you intend to move near. If the enemy is greedy for profit, use small gains to lure them. If the enemy is in chaos, seize the opportunity to attack them. If the enemy is strong, prepare to defend against them. If the enemy is powerful, avoid them. If the enemy is angry, provoke them. If the enemy is humble, make them arrogant. If the enemy is at ease, tire them out. If the enemy is harmonious, sow discord among them. Attack where the enemy is unprepared and strike when they least expect it. This is the secret of victory in war, which cannot be revealed in advance. Those who win before battle have made thorough calculations, while those who lose before battle have made insufficient calculations. Thorough calculations lead to victory, insufficient calculations lead to defeat, and what about no calculations at all? Based on these, I can see who will win and who will lose.
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