Variation of Tactics 400
Sun Tzǔ said: In war, the general receives his commands from the sovereign, collects his army and concentrates his forces. 401
When in difficult country, do not encamp. 402 In country where high roads intersect, join hands with your allies. 403 Do not linger in dangerously isolated positions. 404 In hemmed-in situations, you must resort to stratagem. 405 In a desperate position, you must fight. 406
There are roads which must not be followed, 407 armies which must not be attacked, 408 towns 409 which must not be besieged, 410 positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed. 411
The general who thoroughly understands the advantages that accompany variation of tactics knows how to handle his troops. 412
The general who does not understand these, may be well acquainted with the configuration of the country, yet he will not be able to turn his knowledge to practical account. 413
So, the student of war who is unversed in the art of varying his plans, even though he be acquainted with the Five Advantages, will fail to make the best use of his men. 414
Hence in the wise leader’s plans, considerations of advantage and of disadvantage will be blended together. 415
If our expectation of advantage be tempered in this way, we may succeed in accomplishing the essential part of our schemes. 416
If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune. 417
Reduce the hostile chiefs by inflicting damage on them; 418 and make trouble for them, 419 and keep them constantly engaged; 420 hold out specious allurements, and make them rush to any given point. 421
The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy’s not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; 422 not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable. 423
There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general:
Recklessness, which leads to destruction; 424
cowardice, which leads to capture; 425
a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults; 426
a delicacy of honor which is sensitive to shame; 427
over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble. 428
These are the five besetting sins of a general, ruinous to the conduct of war.
When an army is overthrown and its leader slain, the cause will surely be found among these five dangerous faults. Let them be a subject of meditation.