The book suggests that the real art of war is not to have to go to war. Doves and hawks (even vultures) can approach it for meaning. It’s a book that seems perpetually useful because it’s a work of philosophy as much as tactics. There have been many translations of “The Art of War,” and a new one, by Michael Nylan, will not be the last. The most venerable of these, alongside “On War” (1832), by the Prussian general Carl von Clausewitz, is Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War,” written some 2,500 years ago. Here is that plan in its entirety: “Infiltrate Hanoi, grab Uncle Ho by the goatee, pull off his face and make a clean escape.” Because warfare is rarely so simple, books of strategy are consulted. 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.Įnglish translation via the Internet Classics Archive.The most electric war plan in semi-recent American literature appears in “A Run Through the Jungle,” a story by the much-missed Thom Jones. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.Ģ6. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.Ģ5. If his forces are united, separate them.Ģ4.
If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.Ģ3. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.Ģ2. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. 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.Ģ0. According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one's plans.ġ9. While heading the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules.ġ7. 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!ġ6.
By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.ġ5. (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?ġ4. Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this is wisdom.ġ3. These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious he who knows them not will fail.ġ2. 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.ġ1. The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness.ġ0. Earth comprises distances, great and small danger and security open ground and narrow passes the chances of life and death.ĩ.