The Book of War: The Military Classic of the Far East / The Articles of Suntzu; The Sayings of Wutzu

Master

defeating a country by fire and the

s army intact than to overco

the "Tsu" or the "Wu" whole,

the perfection of attainment, for the suprem

next in merit prevents the enemy from uniting his forces; next to him is he wh

ams and siege engines; then a further three months are required in front of the citadel, in order to make the "Chuyin."[4] Wherefore the general is angered, his patience e

he captures his fortress, but without besieging it; and without lengthy fighting tak

assault by

numbers, divide. If equal in strength, exert to the utmost, and fight; if inferior in numbers, man?uvre and await the opportun

be entire, the country is of necessity strong; if

barrass his army in

vance, to order it to go forward; or, ignorant th

e the army as

rs, to rule the armies in

perplex t

ion of the army, to se

l the soldiers

dangers from neighbouring princes arise. The

asions when victor

ll numbers; when government and people are of one mind; when the state is prepared, and chooses the enemy'

gs are the hera

o is ignorant of the enemy, and fixes his eyes only on his own side, conquers, and the next time is de