The Art of War | Page 4

20. The onrush of a conquering force is like the bursting of pent-up
waters into a chasm a thousand fathoms deep.
V. ENERGY
1. Sun Tzu said: The control of a large force is the same principle as the
control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their
numbers.
2. Fighting with a large army under your command is nowise different
from fighting with a small one: it is merely a question of instituting
signs and signals.
3. To ensure that your whole host may withstand the brunt of the
enemy's attack and remain unshaken-- this is effected by maneuvers

direct and indirect.
4. That the impact of your army may be like a grindstone dashed
against an egg--this is effected by the science of weak points and
strong.
5. In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but
indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.
6. Indirect tactics, efficiently applied, are inexhaustible as Heaven and
Earth, unending as the flow of rivers and streams; like the sun and
moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass
away to return once more.
7. There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of
these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.
8. There are not more than five primary colors (blue, yellow, red, white,
and black), yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever
been seen.
9. There are not more than five cardinal tastes (sour, acrid, salt, sweet,
bitter), yet combinations of them yield more flavors than can ever be
tasted.
10. In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack--the direct
and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless
series of maneuvers.
11. The direct and the indirect lead on to each other in turn. It is like
moving in a circle--you never come to an end. Who can exhaust the
possibilities of their combination?
12. The onset of troops is like the rush of a torrent which will even roll
stones along in its course.
13. The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon
which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.

14. Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt
in his decision.
15. Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to
the releasing of a trigger.
16. Amid the turmoil and tumult of battle, there may be seeming
disorder and yet no real disorder at all; amid confusion and chaos, your
array may be without head or tail, yet it will be proof against defeat.
17. Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline, simulated fear
postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.
18. Hiding order beneath the cloak of disorder is simply a question of
subdivision; concealing courage under a show of timidity presupposes
a fund of latent energy; masking strength with weakness is to be
effected by tactical dispositions.
19. Thus one who is skillful at keeping the enemy on the move
maintains deceitful appearances, according to which the enemy will act.
He sacrifices something, that the enemy may snatch at it.
20. By holding out baits, he keeps him on the march; then with a body
of picked men he lies in wait for him.
21. The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and
does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick
out the right men and utilize combined energy.
22. When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become as it
were like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the nature of a log or
stone to remain motionless on level ground, and to move when on a
slope; if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if round-shaped, to
go rolling down.
23. Thus the energy developed by good fighting men is as the
momentum of a round stone rolled down a mountain thousands of feet
in height. So much on the subject of energy.

VI. WEAK POINTS AND STRONG
1. Sun Tzu said: Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of
the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field
and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.
2. Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but
does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.
3. By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to
approach of his own accord; or, by inflicting damage, he can make it
impossible for the enemy to draw near.
4. If the enemy is taking his ease, he can harass him; if well supplied
with food, he can