1. Sun Tzŭ said: The art of war is of vital importance[1] to the State.
2. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. It means it is a subject of research that cannot be ignored in any case.
3. Learn five constant factors that one should always take into account when trying to determine the conditions in a war field.
4. These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.
5, 6. The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him and die for him no matter what.
7. Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.
8. Earth includes distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.
9. The Commander stands for wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness.
10. Method and discipline are for proper marshaling of the army, the gradations of rank among the officers, the wellness of roads, by which supplies may reach the army, and the control pf military money.
11. Every general should know these five heads. If a general knows them, he will be victorious and not fail.
12. When trying to understand the military conditions, always ask yourself:
13. (1) Which of the two rulers is in chord with the Moral law?
(2) Which of the two generals is the most powerful?
(3) Which of the two generals has more nature resources?
(4) On which side is discipline most strictly followed?
(5) Which army is the stronger?
(6) On which side the discipline is the strongest?
(7) In which army is there the fairest punishment and reward?
14. By these seven questions I can predict who will win.
15. The general that follows my advice will conquer: let such a one be in command! The general who does not follow my advice will suffer defeat: let such a one be fired!
16. While following my advice, keep in mind any other helpful information beyond the ordinary rules.
17. One should change one’s plan according to circumstances if needed.
18. All warfare is based on trickery.
19. Hence[2], 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.
20. Use baits to attract the enemy. Pretend disorder, and crush him.
21. If he is weak at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, avoid him.
22. If your enemy is of choleric temper, derange him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
23. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.
24. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
25. Do not reveal these leading to victory military devices beforehand.
26. The general who calculates beforehand, wins. The one who loses the battle makes but few calculations. By looking at these points, I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.
1. Sun Tzŭ said: The cost of raising an army of 100,000 men is very high. Two thousand chariots, hundred thousand soldiers and their equipment, food and many other expenses require at least a thousand ounces of silver per day.
2. If an actual fighting is long and victory is long in coming, the soldiers’ weapons will grow dull and their passion will grow weak. If you lay siege to a town[3], you will exhaust your strength.
3. Again, it the war is too long, the resources of the State will run out eventually.
4. Now, when your weapons are dulled, your passion is weak, your strength exhausted and your money spent, other leaders will take advantage of your state. Then no man, however wise, will be able to avoid the consequences that must ensue.
5. Thus, hastening in war is not smart, but so is long delaying.
6. There is no example of a country having benefits from prolonged warfare.
7. It is only one who thoroughly knows the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the best way of carrying it on.
8. The skillful soldier does not require a second payment, neither are his supply-cars loaded more than twice.
9. Bring war material with you from home, but also take it from your enemy. Thus the army will have food enough for its needs.
10. Poverty of the State fund causes an army to be maintained by donations from a distance. Donations from a distance causes the people to become poor.
11. On the other hand, the nearness of an army causes prices to go up; and high prices cause the people’s resources to be drained away.
12. When their resources is drained away, the peasants will suffer from heavy fees.
13, 14. With this loss of resources and exhaustion of strength, the homes of the people will looted. The Government expenses for broken chariots, worn-out horses, new equipment for soldiers and heavy carts, will amount to four-tenths of its total income.
15. A wise general makes a point of taking provisions from his enemy. One cart of the enemy’s provisions is equivalent to twenty of one’s own.
