Art of War Chapter 1 The art of war is of vital importance to the State.
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.
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.
These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.
The Moral Law 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.
Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.
Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.
The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness.
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 maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.
These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.
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 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 highly trained?(7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?
By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.
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 counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat:--let such a one be dismissed!
While heading the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules.
According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one's plans. All warfare is based on deception.
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.
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.
If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.
Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.
Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations 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 defeat: 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.
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Lost count of the number of times I've read this text, one day would love to be able to read the original and not rely on translations.
Hear a lot of battle metaphors, not many seem willing to read the books and wisdom on strategy. Others may do so but back out when it comes to the possibility of real combat.
My blood is mostly north european, the british were masters at making deals that is why they are today known as Anglo-Saxons who we're in fact invaders, most had one thing in common - WE DO NOT LIKE TO BACK DOWN FROM A FIGHT. I take great pride in knowing how much trouble my ancestors caused the romans, well Ghengis Khan made his mark there as well, raping and pillaging along the way who knows how many descendants that guy has...
Society has moved from hunter-gathers to warriors to business, but still the tactics remain some will be reckless and show no regard for others on the battlefield seeking only glory for them self. It seems more honest to run at someone with a sword then to manipulate stocks or play the social games but they are all part of the one art and each has its place.
Imagine if ordinary people dissatisfied with the corruption in the world banded together and thought beyond their petty differences, stopped fighting each other and focused on the dehumanizing systems and cycles, waging war instead of just replacing one regime with another.
