The Art of War | Page 2

was difficult. I did the conversion in complete
ignorance of Chinese (except for what I learned while doing the

conversion). Thus, I faced the difficult task of paraphrasing it while
retaining as much of the important text as I could. Every paraphrase
represents a loss; thus I did what I could to retain as much of the text as
possible. Because the 1910 text contains a Chinese concordance, I was
able to transliterate proper names, books, and the like at the risk of
making the text more obscure. However, the text, on the whole, is quite
satisfactory for the casual reader, a transformation made possible by
conversion to an etext. However, I come away from this task with the
feeling of loss because I know that someone with a background in
Chinese can do a better job than I did; any such attempt would be
welcomed.
Bob Sutton [email protected] [email protected]
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INTRODUCTION
Sun Wu and his Book -------------------
Ssu-ma Ch`ien gives the following biography of Sun Tzu: [1] --
Sun Tzu Wu was a native of the Ch`i State. His ART OF WAR brought
him to the notice of Ho Lu, [2] King of Wu. Ho Lu said to him: "I have
carefully perused your 13 chapters. May I submit your theory of
managing soldiers to a slight test?" Sun Tzu replied: "You may." Ho Lu
asked: "May the test be applied to women?" The answer was again in
the affirmative, so arrangements were made to bring 180 ladies out of
the Palace. Sun Tzu divided them into two companies, and placed one
of the King's favorite concubines at the head of each. He then bade
them all take spears in their hands, and addressed them thus: "I
presume you know the difference between front and back, right hand
and left hand?" The girls replied: Yes. Sun Tzu went on: "When I say
"Eyes front," you must look straight ahead. When I say "Left turn," you
must face towards your left hand. When I say "Right turn," you must
face towards your right hand. When I say "About turn," you must face
right round towards your back." Again the girls assented. The words of
command having been thus explained, he set up the halberds and
battle-axes in order to begin the drill. Then, to the sound of drums, he

gave the order "Right turn." But the girls only burst out laughing. Sun
Tzu said: "If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are
not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame." So he started
drilling them again, and this time gave the order "Left turn," whereupon
the girls once more burst into fits of laughter. Sun Tzu: "If words of
command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly
understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders ARE clear, and
the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers."
So saying, he ordered the leaders of the two companies to be beheaded.
Now the king of Wu was watching the scene from the top of a raised
pavilion; and when he saw that his favorite concubines were about to
be executed, he was greatly alarmed and hurriedly sent down the
following message: "We are now quite satisfied as to our general's
ability to handle troops. If We are bereft of these two concubines, our
meat and drink will lose their savor. It is our wish that they shall not be
beheaded." Sun Tzu replied: "Having once received His Majesty's
commission to be the general of his forces, there are certain commands
of His Majesty which, acting in that capacity, I am unable to accept."
Accordingly, he had the two leaders beheaded, and straightway
installed the pair next in order as leaders in their place. When this had
been done, the drum was sounded for the drill once more; and the girls
went through all the evolutions, turning to the right or to the left,
marching ahead or wheeling back, kneeling or standing, with perfect
accuracy and precision, not venturing to utter a sound. Then Sun Tzu
sent a messenger to the King saying: "Your soldiers, Sire, are now
properly drilled and disciplined, and ready for your majesty's inspection.
They can be put to any use that their sovereign may desire; bid them go
through fire and water, and they will not disobey." But the King replied:
"Let our general cease drilling and return to camp. As for us, We have
no wish to come down and inspect the troops." Thereupon Sun Tzu said:
"The King is only fond of words, and cannot translate them into deeds."
After that, Ho Lu saw that Sun Tzu was one who knew how to handle
an army, and finally appointed him general. In the west,