Energy 272
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