The Art of War Sun Tzu (most read books of all time txt) 📖

In respect of military method, we have, firstly, Measurement; secondly, Estimation of quantity; thirdly, Calculation; fourthly, Balancing of chances; fifthly, Victory.

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.269

A victorious army opposed to a routed one, is as a pound’s weight placed in the scale against a single grain.270

The onrush of a conquering force is like the bursting of pent-up waters into a chasm a thousand fathoms deep.271

Sun Tzǔ said: The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers.273

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.274

To ensure that your whole host may withstand the brunt of the enemy’s attack and remain unshaken⁠—this is effected by manoeuvres direct and indirect.275

That the impact of your army may be like a grindstone dashed against an egg⁠—this is effected by the science of weak points and strong.276

In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.277

Indirect tactics, efficiently applied, are inexhaustible as Heaven and Earth, unending as the flow of rivers and streams;278 like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more.279

There are not more than five musical notes,280 yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.

There are not more than five primary colors,281 yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.

There are not more than five cardinal tastes,282 yet combinations of them yield more flavors than can ever be tasted.

In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack⁠—the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of manoeuvres.

The direct and the indirect lead on to each other in turn. It is like moving in a circle⁠—you never come to an end. Who can exhaust the possibilities of their combination?283

The onset of troops is like the rush of a torrent which will even roll stones along in its course.

The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.284

Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.285

Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.286

Amid the turmoil and tumult of battle, there may be seeming disorder and yet no real disorder at all; amid confusion and chaos, your array may be without head or tail, yet it will be proof against defeat.287

Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline, simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.288

Hiding order beneath the cloak of disorder is simply a question of subdivision;289 concealing courage under a show of timidity presupposes a fund of latent energy;290 masking strength with weakness is to be effected by tactical dispositions.291

Thus one who is skilful at keeping the enemy on the move maintains deceitful appearances, according to which the enemy will act.292 He sacrifices something, that the enemy may snatch at it.293

By holding out baits, he keeps him on the march; then with a body of picked men he lies in wait for him.294

The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals.295 Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilize combined energy.296

When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men 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.297

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 energy.298

Sun Tzǔ 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.300

Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him.301

By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to approach of his own accord; or, by inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the enemy to draw near.302

If the enemy is taking his ease, he can harass him;303 if well supplied with food, he can starve him out;304 if quietly encamped, he can force him to move.305

Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.306

An army may march great distances without distress, if it marches through country where the