Generally, the
principles of warfare are:
The general receives
his commands from the ruler, assembles the armies, and mobilizes the masses. ?
Do not camp on difficult
ground.
Unite with your allies
on intersecting ground.
Do not stay on open ground.
Be prepared on surrounded
ground.
Do battle on deadly ground.
?
There are routes not
to be taken;
there are armies not
to be attacked;
there are walled cities
not to be besieged;
there are grounds not
to be penetrated;
there are commands not
to be obeyed. ?
Therefore, the general
who knows the advantages of the nine changes knows how to use the troops. ?
If the general does not
know the advantages of the nine changes, even if he knows the lay of the land,
he will not be able to take advantage of the ground. ?
He who commands
an army but does not know the principles of the nine changes, even
if he is familiar with the five advantages, will not be able to
best use his troops. ?
Therefore, the intelligent
general contemplates both the advantages and disadvantages. ?
Contemplating the advantages,
he fulfills his calculations;
contemplating the disadvantages,
he removes his difficulties. ?
Therefore, subjugate
the neighboring rulers with potential disadvantages, labor the neighboring rulers
with constant matters, and have the neighboring rulers rush after advantages.
?
So the principles of
warfare are:
Do not depend on the
enemy not coming, but depend on our readiness against him.
Do not depend on the
enemy not attacking, but depend on our position that cannot be attacked. ?
Therefore, there are
five dangerous traits of a general:
He who is reckless can
be killed. ?
He who is cowardly can
be captured. ?
He who is quick tempered
can be insulted. ?
He who is moral can be
shamed. ?
He who is fond of the
people can be worried. ?
These five traits are
faults in a general, and are disastrous in warfare.
The army's destruction,
and the death of the general are due to these five dangerous traits.
They must be examined.
?
