Making Plans

1. Sun Tzŭ said: The art of war is of vital importance to the State.

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

2. It is a matter of life and death, a path to either safety or ruin. So it must be studied and must never be ignored.

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.

3. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors. Consider these factors in your planning when assessing conditions on the battlefield.

4. These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.

4. These are: (1) The Moral Law, (2) Heaven, (3) Earth, (4) The Commander, (5) Organization 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.

5, 6. The Moral Law brings the people into complete agreement with their ruler. As a result, they will follow their ruler even at the cost of their lives, unafraid of any danger.

7. Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.

7. Heaven means 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.

8. Earth includes long and short distances, danger and safety, and open ground and narrow passes. It also includes the chances of life and death.

9. The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness.

9. The Commander represents wisdom, honesty, kindness, courage, and strictness.

10. By Method and discipline are to be understood the marshalling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the gradations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.

10. Method and discipline means organizing the army into its proper divisions and establishing ranks among officers. It also means maintaining roads so supplies may reach the army, and controlling military spending.

11. These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.

11. Every general should know these five principles. A general who knows them will win. A general who does 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:—

12. Therefore, when assessing military conditions, use them as the basis for comparison in the following way:

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 the 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?

13. (1) Which of the two rulers follows the Moral law? (2) Which of the two generals is more capable? (3) Which side has the advantages of Heaven and Earth? (4) Which side enforces discipline more strictly? (5) Which army is stronger? (6) Which side has better-trained officers and soldiers? (7) Which army is more consistent in both rewards and punishments?

14. By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.

14. Using these seven considerations, I can predict 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!

15. The general who listens to my advice and follows it will win. Keep that general in command! The general who neither listens to my advice nor follows it will be defeated. Dismiss that general!

16. While heeding the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules.

16. While following my advice for its benefits, also take advantage of any helpful circumstances beyond the usual rules.

17. According as circumstances are favourable, one should modify one’s plans.

17. As circumstances become favorable, you should adjust your plans.

18. All warfare is based on deception.

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.

19. So, when we can attack, we must seem unable to attack. When using our forces, we must seem inactive. When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away. When we are far away, we must make the enemy believe we are near.

20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.

20. Set out bait to lure the enemy. Pretend to be disorganized, and crush the enemy.

21. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.

21. If the enemy is secure on all sides, be ready for him. If he is stronger than you, avoid him.

22. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

22. If your opponent is quick-tempered, try to irritate him. Pretend to be weak so that he may grow arrogant.

23. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.

23. If he is resting, give him no rest. If his forces are united, split them apart.

24. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

24. Attack the enemy where he is unprepared. Appear where you are not expected.

25. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.

25. These military tactics lead to victory and must not be revealed 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.

26. The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle begins. The general who loses a battle makes few calculations beforehand. So many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations lead to defeat. How much more likely is defeat with no calculations at all! By paying attention to these preparations, I can predict who is likely to win or lose.