Warfare is founded on deception, motivated by gain, and varied through the division and concentration of troops.
When moving fast, be like the wind; when advancing slowly, be like a forest. When raiding, be like fire; when standing firm, be like a mountain. When hidden, be like deep shadow; when striking, be like thunder.
Plunder villages and disperse your troops; expand territory and divide the gains. Weigh the situation carefully before you act. Those who master the tactics of indirect and direct routes will win. These are the rules of military contention.
Note
This segment states war relies on deception, gains, and flexible troop shifts. It lays out six army modes with metaphors: wind, forest, fire, mountain, shadow, thunder. Troops must weigh risks before acting, and mastering indirect tactics wins military contention.
A great military strategist and thinker in ancient China, who lived in the late Spring and Autumn Period. He authored The Art of War, the world’s earliest and most influential military classic. His strategic thoughts have been widely applied in military, politics and management worldwide.
Deception
The fundamental principle of military operations.
Six martial metaphors
Wind, forest, fire, mountain, shadow and thunder, describing the ideal state of an army.
Division and concentration
Basic tactical changes for troops.
Weigh the situation
Evaluate pros and cons before taking action.
故兵以詐立，以利動，以分合為變者也，故其疾如風，其徐如林，侵掠如火，不動如山，難知如陰，動如雷霆。掠鄉分眾，廓地分利，懸權而動，先知迂直之計者勝，此軍爭之法也。
Leave a Reply