A general must be calm and profound, upright and orderly. He blinds his soldiers’ eyes and ears, keeping them uninformed. He alters plans and stratagems so no one can perceive them. He changes camps and takes winding routes to confuse all judgment.
Leading troops is like climbing high then removing the ladder. March deep into enemy territory and strike at the right moment. Drive the army like a flock of sheep – they go and come, yet know not where they head.
Gather the whole army and send it into peril: this is the duty of a general. He must thoroughly understand the variations of nine terrains, the advantages of advance and retreat, and the psychology of soldiers.
Note
Generals stay calm and conceal all battle plans to confuse troops. Cut off soldiers’ retreat to push them into combat. Commanders must master nine terrains, tactical flexibility and soldiers’ mental states to lead armies into danger.
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.
Secret command
Keep military plans hidden to avoid exposure.
Cut off retreat
Force troops to fight with no way back.
Terrain & human psychology
Essential knowledge for qualified commanders.
將軍之事，靜以幽，正以治，能愚士卒之耳目，使之無知。易其事，革其謀，使人無識，易其居，迂其途，使人不得慮。帥與之期，如登高而去其梯，帥與之深，入諸侯之地而發其機。若驅群羊，驅而往，驅而來，莫知所之。聚三軍之眾，投之于險，此將軍之事也。九地之變，屈伸之利，人情之理，不可不察也。
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