1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of

vital importance to the State.

2. It is a matter of life and death, a road

either to safety or to ruin.

Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can

on no account be neglected.

3. The art of war, then, is governed by

five constant factors, to be taken into

account in one's deliberations, when

seeking to determine the conditions

obtaining in the 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 regardless of

their lives, undismayed by any danger.

7. Heaven signifies night and day, cold and

heat, times and seasons.

8. Earth comprises distances, great and

small; danger and security; open ground and

narrow passes; the chances of life and

death.

9. The Commander stands for the virtues of

wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and

strictness.

10. 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.

11. These five heads should be familiar to

every general: he who knows them will be

victorious; he who knows them not will

fail.

12. Therefore, in your deliberations, when

seeking to determine the military

conditions, let them be made the basis of a

comparison, in this wise:--

13. (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?

14. By means of these seven considerations

I can forecast victory or defeat.

15. 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!

16. While heading the profit of my counsel,

avail yourself also of any helpful

circumstances over and beyond the ordinary

rules.

17. According as circumstances are

favorable, one should modify one's plans.

18. All warfare is based on deception.

19. 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.

20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy.

Feign disorder, and crush him.

21. If he is secure at all points, be

prepared for him.

If he is in superior strength, evade him.

22. If your opponent is of choleric temper,

seek to irritate 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. These military devices, leading to

victory, must not be divulged beforehand.

26. Now the general who wins a battle makes

many calculations in his temple ere the

battle is fought.

The general who loses a battle makes but

few calculations beforehand.

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.