Unlike my previous posts where I have been critiquing material that I have read, the approach I have taken for this one is to obtain inspirational and educative quotes from the Great Chinese War General - Sun Tzu, from this book title. I hope that the sharing from it will draw crucial lessons for personal life and organisational growth. As Sun Tzu said, the Art of War is of vital importance to the state. There are five factors that govern the Art of War and these include:
a) Moral law which causes people to be in complete accord with their ruler so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.
b) Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.
c) Earth comprises of distances; great and small; danger and security; open grounds and narrow passes; chances of life and death.
d) The Commander stands for virtues of Wisdom, sincerity, benovelence, courage and strictness
e) Method and discipline are to be understood in the context of marshalling the army.
These five heads above must be familiar with every General. He who knows them will be very victorious and will not fail. These should be the basis for deliberation and comparison when seeking to determine the military conditions obtaining.
The quotes derived include:
1." All warfare is based on deception. 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 that we are far away. When we are far away, we must make him believe that we are near."
2. "Hold out your baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder and crush him. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is superior in strength, evade him. If he is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united,separate them. Attack him when he is unprepared. Appear where you're not expected." These military devices , leading to victory must not be divulged before hand.
3. "The General who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The General who loses makes but a few calculations before hand. If many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations lead to defeat, how much more no calculation at all?"
4. "Though we have heard of stupid haste in war; cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays. There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare."
5. "Poverty from the state exchecquer causes an army to be maintained by contributions from a distance but this causes people to be impoverished."
5. "Proximity of an army causes prices t go up and high prices cause people's substance to be drained away."
6. " The wise General names a point of foraging on the enemy. Use conquered foe to augment one's own strength."
7. "In war, let your great object be victory; not lengthy campaigns."
8. "The best thing to do is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. Capture but do not destroy the army."
9. ""The highest form of Generalship is the baulk of the enemy's plans; next best is to prevent the junction of enemy's forces; next in order is to attack the enemy's army on the field and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities."
10. "The rule is: Don't besiege walled cities if it can be avoided. It is costly in terms of logistics. "
11. "The skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them. With his forces intact, he will dissipate the mastery of the empire and thus, without losing a man, his triumph will complete."
12. "The rule in war is: a) If our forces are 10 to the enemy's 1, surround him. b) If 5 to 1, attack him. c) If twice as numerous, divide our army into two. If equally matched, we can offer battle. If slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy. If quite unequal in everyway, flee from him."
13. "The General is the bulwark of the state; if the bulwark is complete at all points, the state will be strong. If the bulwark is defective, the state will be weak."
14. "3 ways a ruler can bring misfortune on his army: a) Commanding the army to advance or to retreat being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. (Hobbling the army.) b) Attempting to govern an army in the same way he administers a Kingdom; being ignorant of conditions which obtain in an army - this causes restlessness in soldiers' minds. Employing officers of his army without discrimination; through ignorance of military principle of adaptaion to circumstances, shakes soldier's confidence.
15.The five principles essential for victory are:
a) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
b) He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.
c) He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
d) He will win who prepared himself waits to take the enemy unprepared.
e) He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by Sovereignty.
16. "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the results of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained, you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy, nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."
17. Good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat and then waited for the opportunity of defeating the enemy."
18. "To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our hands. But the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. "
19. "A General who is skilled in defence hides in the most secret recesses of the earth; he who is skilled in attack flashes from the topmost heights of heaven. Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking - a super-abunsance of strength."
20. "What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins but also excels in winning with ease. Win your battles by making no mistakes. It establishes a certainty of victory for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated."
21. "A skillful fighter puts himself in a position which makes defeat impossible and doesn't miss the moment for defeating the enemy."
22. "In war, a successful strategist only seeks battle after victory has been guaranteed whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory."
23.. "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."
24. "In all fighting; the direct method may be used for joining battle but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory. Indirect methods, efficiently applied are inexhaustible as Heaven and Earth; unending as the flow of rivers and streams; like Sun and moon, they end but begin a new like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more."
25. "In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack, direct and indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to endless series of manoeuvres. "
26. "Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow, decision to the releasing of the trigger. "
27. "The quality of a decision is like the well trained swoop of a falcon which enables it strike and destroy its victim. Therefore, good fighters will be terrible in his onset and prompt in his decision."
28. "Stimulated disorder postulates perfect discipline. Stimulated fear postulates courage. Stimulated weakness postulates strength."
29. "O Divine art of subtlety and secrecy; through you, we learn to be invisible; through you, inaudible and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands."
30. "The energy developed by good fighting men is as the momentum of a round stone rolled down a mountain thousand of feet in height. The clever combatant looks to effect combined energy and doesn't require too much from individuals., hence his his ability to pick out the right men and to utilise combined energy."
31. "Whenever 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. The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy but doesn't allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him."
32. "Appear at point which the enemy must hasten to defend. March swiftly to places where you're not expected. You can be sure of succeeding in your tasks if you only attack places which are undefended. You can be sure of safety of your defence of you only hold positions that cannot be attacked. That General is skillful in attack whose opponent doesn't know what to defend. He is skillful in defence whose opponent doesn't know what to attack. "
33. "All men can see the tactics by which I conquer but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved. Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.."
34. "Though the enemy be stronger in numbers, we may prevent him from fighting . Scheme so as to discover his plans and the likelihood of their success."
35. "In war, the way is to, 'avoid what is strong, and to attack what is weak. Military tactics are like into water; for water in its natural course runs away from the high places and hastens downward."
36. "The difficulty of tactical manoeuvring consists in turning devious into the direct and misfortune into gain."
37. " Manoeuvring with an army is advantageous; with undisciplined multitude, most dangerous."
38. "To be near the goal while the enemy is far from it; to wait at ease as the enemy is toiling and struggling; to be well fed while the enemy is famished - is the art of husbanding one's strength."
39. "To refrain from intercepting an enemy whose banners are in perfect order; to refrain from attacking on army drawn up in calm and confident array; - this is the art of studying circumstances. "
4o. "It is military axiom not to advance uphill against the enemy nor to oppose him when he comes downhill. Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight; do not attack soldiers whose temper is keen. Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy."
41. "Do not interfere with an army returning home. When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe hard. Such is the art of warfare."
42. "When in a difficult country, do not encamp. In a country where high roads intersect, join hands with your allies. Do not linger in dangerously isolated positions. In hemmed-in situations, resort to stratagem. In desperate situations, you must fight. "
43. "There are roads which must not be followed; armies which must not be attacked; towns which must not be besieged; positions which must not be contested; commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed."
44. "The General who thoroughly understands the advantages that accompany variation of tactics knows how to handle his troops while he who doesn't may be well acquainted with configuration of the country but won't be able to turn his knowledge to practical account."
45. " In the wise leader's plans, therefore, consideration of advantages and disadvantages will be blended together. If our expectation of advantage be tampered with in this way; we may succeed in accomplishing the essential part of our schemes. If on the other hand, in the midst of the difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune. "
46. "The Art of War teaches us not to rely on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming but on our readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking; but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable. "
47. "Reduce hostile chiefs by inflicting damage on them; make trouble for them and keep them constantly engaged."
48. The five dangerous faults ruinous to the conduct of War and which may affect the General are:
a) Recklessness which leads to destruction.The
b) Cowardice which leads to capture.
c) A hasty temper which can be provoked by insults.
d) A delicacy of honour which is sensitive to shame.
e) Over solicitude for his men which exposes him to worry and trouble
49. "On the question of encamping the army and observing the signs of the enemy,
a) Pass quickly over mountains
b) Keep in the neighbourhood of the valleys
c) Camp in high places facing the sun
d) Do not climb heights in order to fight. It is so much for mountain warfare.
e) After crossing a river, get far away from it. When an invading force crosses a river in its onward March, do not advance to meet it midstream. It will be best to let half the army to get across then deliver it across. If you are too anxious to fight, you should not go to meet the invader near a river which he has to cross. Moor your craft higher up than the enemy; facing the sun.
f) Do not move upstream to meet the enemy. That is so much for river warfare.
e) In crossing salt marshes, your sole concern is to get over them without any delay. If forced to fight in a salt marsh, you should have water and grass near you and get your back to a clump of trees. It's so much for operations in salt marshes.
f) In a dry level country, take up an easily accessible position with rising ground to your right and to your rear so that danger might be in front and safety lie behind. So much for campaigning in a flat country."
50. "While we keep away from such places, we must get the enemy to approach them. We should let the enemy have them on his rear."
51. "All armies prefer high ground to low and sunny places to dark"
52. "When the enemy is close at hand and remains quiet, he is relying on the natural strength of his position. When he keeps aloof and tries to provoke a battle, he is anxious for the other side to advance. If his place of encampment is easy of access, he is tendering a bait. Movement among the trees shows that the enemy is advancing. "
53. "Appearance of a number of screens in the midst of thick grass means the enemy wants to make us suspicious. Rising of birds in flight is a sign of an amvuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming. When there is dust arising in high column, it is a sign of chariots advancing. When dust us low but spread over a wide area, it betokens the approach if an infantry. When it branches out into different directions, it shows that theparties have been sent to collect firewood."
54. "Humble words and increased preparations at signs that the enemy is about to advance. Violent language and driving forward as if to attack are signs that he will retreat.
55. "When light chariots come out first and take up a position on the wings; it is a sign that the enemy is forming for battle. Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot. Much runing about and soldiers falling into rank means the critical moment has come. When some are seen advancing and others retreating, it is a lure."
56. "When soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint for want of food. If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, it means the army is suffering from thirst."
57. "If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained but makes no effort to secure it, then it means the soldiers are exhausted."
58. "If there is disturbance in the camp, the General's authority is weak. If banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is a foot. If offices are angry, the men are weary.."
59. "When an army feeds its horses with grain, and kills its cattle for food, and when men Do not hang their cooking pots over camp fires, showing that they will not return to their tents, you may know that they are determined to fight to the death. The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank and file"
60. "He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them."
61. "Too frequent rewards indicates that the enemy is at the end of his resources. Too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress. When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it's a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce."
62. "Soldiers must be treated in the first instance with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline. This is a certain road to victory"
63. "If in training soldiers, commands are habitually enforced, the army will be well disciplined. If not, it's discipline will be bad."
64. "If the General shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed ; the gains will be mutual."
65. "Accessible terrain is ground that can be freely traversed by both sides. On this one, be before the enemy in occupying the raided and sunny spots and carefully guard your line of supplies.. then you will be able to fight with advantage."
66. "Entangling ground is that which is hard to reoccupy after its abandoned. If the enemy is unprepared; you may sail forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is prepared for your coming and you fail to defeat him, then return to being impossible; disaster will ensue."
67. "Trmporising ground is that on which neither side will gain by making the first move. In this ground, even if the enemy offers an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth but rather to retreat thus enticing the enemy in his turn; when part of his army gas cone out; we may deliver our attack with advantage."
68. "Narrow passes are grounds you should occupy first, and strongly garrison and wait for the advent of the enemy. Should the enemy forestall you in occupying pass, do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it is weakly garrisoned."
69. "Precipotuous heights: If you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots and there wait for him to come up. If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him but retreat and try to entice him away."
70. "Position of great distance from the enemy: If the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle. Fighting will be to your disadvantage."
71. ""The six several calamities an army is exposed to but are not arising from natural causes are:
a) Flight: Happens when I'd one force is hurled against another ten times its size, other factors remaining constant."
b) Insurbordination when common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak.
c) Collapse: When officers are too strong and common soldiers too weak.
d) Ruin: results when higher officers are angry and insurbordinate and on meeting the enemy, give the battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment; before Commander-in-Chief can tell whether or not he is in a position to fight.
e) Disorganization: is as a result of the General being weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixed duties assigned to officers and men and the ranks are formed in a haphazard manner.
f) Rout: Happens when the General; unable to estimate the enemy's strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one; or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one and neglects the place of the picked soldiers in the front rank.
These are the 6 ways of courting defeat which must be carefully noted by the General who has attained a responsible post.
72. "The natural formation of a country is the soldier's best ally; but the power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces of victory and shrewdly calculating the difficulties, the dangers and distances constitute the test of a Great General. He who knows these things and in fighting puts his knowledge to practice will win his battles. He who knows not nor practices them will surely be defeated. "
73. "If fighting is sure to result into victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it. If fighting will not result into victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler' s bidding."
74. "The General who who advances without covering fame and retreats without fearing disgrace; whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service to his sovereign; is the jewel of the Kingdom."
75. "Regard your soldiers as your children and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as tour own beloved sons and they will stand by you even unto death."
76. "If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt. If you know heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete."
77. "If, however, you're indulgent; but unable to make your authority felt, kind-hearted but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable; moreover, if quelling disorder; then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children, they are useless for any practical purpose."
78. "The experienced soldier; once in motion, is never bewildered, and once he has broken camp; is never at a loss."
79. "The Art of War recognises nine varieties of ground:
a) Dispersive ground is where a chieftain is fighting in his territory. In this ground, do not fight. Inspire the army with unity of purpose"
b) Facile ground is when a chieftain has penetrated into hostile territory but to no great distance. When in this ground, Halt not. See that there is close connection with all points in the army. "
c) Contentious ground: Imports great advantage on either side. When here, attack not but hurry up your rear.
d) Open ground: here, each side has liberty of movement. When here, do not try to block the enemy. Keep a vigilant eye on your defences.
e) Ground of Intersecting highways forms the key to three contiguous states, so that he who occupies it has the most of the empire at his command. When here, join hands with your allies. That is, consolidate your alliances."
f) Serious Ground: When an army has protracted into the heart of a hostile country; leaving a number of fortified cities in its rear, this gives rise to serious ground. When you cone to it, gather in plunder and try to ensure a continuous stream of supplies."
g) Difficult ground: This is one with mountains, forests, rugged steeps, marshes and fens - All country that is hard to traverse. Keep steady on the March when on this ground and keep pushing on along the road."
h) Hemmed in ground: is reached through narrow gorges, and from which we can only retire by tortuous paths that a small number of the enemy would suffice to crush a large body of our men. The enemy's stronghold is im the rear and narrow passes are infront. When on this ground, resort to stratagem. Block any way of retreat"
i) Desperate ground: On thi sground, you can only be saved from destruction by fighting without delay. On this ground, fight. Proclaim to the soldiers the hopelessness of saving their lives."
80. "If asked how to cope with a Great host of the enemy in orderly array, and on the point if marching to attack, I should say, "Begin by seizing somethingthat your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will."
81. "Rapidity is the essence of war; take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes and attack unguarded spots. "
82. "Principles to be observed by an invading force:
a) The further you penetrate in a country, the greater will be the solidarity of your troops and thus the defenders will not prevail against you.
b) Make forays in a fertile country in order to supply your army with food
c) Carefully study the well being of your men and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength.
d) Keep your army continually on the move and devise unfathomable plans.
e) Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape; and they'll prefer death to flight. If they'll face death, there's nothing that they might not achieve. Officers when in desperate straits lose sense of fear.
f) Prohibit taking of Omens and do away with superstitious doubt. Then, until death comes, no calamity need to be feared. "
83. "The Principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach."
84. "A skillful tactician may be likened to a Shuai-jan. Now, the Shuai-jan is a snake found in the Ch'ang mountains. Strike at its head and you will be attacked by its tail. Strike at its tail and you will be attacked by its tail. Strike at its middle and you will be attacked by both head and tail. Asked if the army can be made to imitate the Shuai-jan, I should answer, YES. For the men of Wu and the men of Yùeh are enemies; yet if they are crossing the river in the same boat, and are caught by the storm; they'll come to each other's assistance just as the left hand assists the right."
85. "The skillful tactician conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man by the hand."
86. "Soldier's disposition offers an obstinate resistance when surrounded; fights hard when you can't help self and obeys promptly when he has fallen into danger."
87. "It's the business of the General to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy.: upright and just and thus maintain order."
88. " The General must be able to mystify his officers with false reports and appearances., and thus keep them in total ignorance. By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, he keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. By shifting his camp, and taking circuitous routes, he prevents the enemy from anticipating his purpose. To muster his host and bring it to danger- thus may be termed the business of the General. "
89. "It is precisely when a host has fallen into harms way that it is capable of striking a blow for victory."
90."Be stern in the council chamber that you may control the situation."
91. "Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose."
92. " Persist in hanging on the enemy's flank and you'll succeed in the long run in killing the Commander in Chief"
93. " If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in. First exhibit the coyness of maiden until the enemy gives you an opening. Afterwards, emulate the rapidity of a running hare and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you."
94. " To carry out an attack with fire, have means available. Material for raising fire should always be kept in readiness.. Very dry season is proper season for making attacks with fire.
95. "When fire breaks out inside the enemy's camp, respond at once with an attack from without. If there's an outbreak of fire but the enemy's soldiers remain quiet, bide your fire, do not attack. When the flames have reached their height, follow it up with an attack if that is practical. If not, stay where you are."
96. "If it is possible to make an assault with fire from without, do not wait for it to break out from within. Deliver your attack at a favourable moment. When you start a fire, be to the windward of it. Do not attack from the Lee ward. A wind that arises in daytime lasts long but a night breeze soon fall's."
97. "Those who use fire as an aid to the attack show intelligence. Those who use water as an aid to the attack gain an accession of strength. By means of water, an enemy may be intercepted but not robbed of all his belongings."
98. "Unhappy is the fate of one who teiwa to win all his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating a spirit of enterprise; for the result is a waste of time and General stagnation. The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead. The good General cultivates his resources."
99. "Move not unless you see an advantage. Use not your troupes unless there is something to be gained. Fight not unless the position is critical. If it is to your advantage, make the forward move. If not, stay where you are."
100. "Anger may in time change to gladness. Vexation may be succeeded by content. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being. The dead can never be brought back to life. Therefore, the enlightened ruler is heedful, the good General is full of caution. This is the way to keep the country at peace and an army intact."
101. "What enables the wise, sovereign and good General to strike and conquer and achieve things beyond reach is foreknowledge. This foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits. It cannot be obtained from experience and not by any deductive calculations."
102. "Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men, hence the use of spies."
103." The five classes of spies are:
a) Local spies: When you employ the services of inhabitants of district.
b) Inward spies: When you make use of the enemy's officials."
c) Converted spies: When you get hold of enemy's spies and use them for your own purposes.
d) Converted spies: These do certain things openly for purposes of deception while allowing our own spies know them and report them to the enemy.
e) Surviving spies bring back news from the enemy's camp.
When all these five kinds if spies are all at work, none can discover the secret system. It is called, "The divine manipulation of threads." It us the Sovereigns most precious faculty.
101. "It is that with none in the whole army are more intimate relations to be maintained than with spies. None should be more liberally rewarded. In no other business should greater secrecy be preserved. Spies are the most important element in war because on them, depends an army's ability to move. Spies cannot be usefully managed without a certain intuitive capacity. They cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth if their reports. Be subtle, be subtle and use your spies for every kind if business."
102. "Enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out and tempted with bribes, led away and comfortable housed. If a secret piece of news is divulged by a spy before the time is ripe, he must be put to death together with the man to whom the secret was told."
103. "It is through information brought by the converted spy that we are able to squire and employ local and inward spies. It is owing to his information that we can cause the doomed spy to carry false findings to the enemy. It is by his information that the surviving spy can be used and appointed on occasion."
104. "The end and aim of spying in all its fine varieties is knowledge of the enemy. His knowledge can be derived in the first instance, from the converted spy. Hence, it is essential that the converted spy be treated with the utmost liberality. "
Although the definition of War, as it was in the days of Old, where the Great Generals like Sun Tzu fought and then philosophized or even vice versa, have since greatly changed, many of the principles still apply today. The compilation of these quotes, it is hoped, will add value to the personal and societal battles being fought in our current society. I, thus commend it for your mental nutrition
Peter Katuramu is passionate about Serving Society in a bid to cause community transformation. A seasoned book critique, Peter e is an Oak Seed Alumnus of the Institute for National Transformation, Uganda. He is also a member of the Rotaract Club of Hoima Kitara which is proudly sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hoima Kitara. For the year 2017/18, he is serving as the Club Administrator. By classification, he is an Industrial and Organisational Psychologist with expertise in Human Resources Management, Human Resources Development, Organisational Development, Research, Training and Development.
+256701291315
ptrkaturamu@gmail.com.
P.O. Box 19, Hoima, Uganda
East Africa
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