The Art of War by Sun Tzu (elon musk reading list TXT) 📕

hilly country,461 ponds surrounded by aquatic grass, hollow basins filled with reeds,462 or woods with thick undergrowth,463 they must be carefully routed out and searched; for these are places where men in ambush or insidious spies are likely to be lurking.464

When the enemy is close at hand and remains quiet, he is relying on the natural strength of his position.465

When he keeps aloof and tries to provoke a battle, he is anxious for the other side to advance.466

If his place of encampment is easy of access, he is tendering a bait.467

Movement amongst the trees of a forest shows that the enemy is advancing.468 The appearance of a number of screens in the midst of thick grass means that the enemy wants to make us suspicious.469

The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade.470 Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming.471

When there is dust rising in a high column, it is the sign of chariots advancing; when the dust is low, but spread over a wide area, it betokens the approach of infantry.472 When it branches out in different directions, it shows that parties have been sent to collect firewood.473 A few clouds of dust moving to and fro signify that the army is encamping.474

Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is about to advance.475 Violent language and driving forward as if to the attack are signs that he will retreat.476

When the light chariots477 come out first and take up a position on the wings, it is a sign that the enemy is forming for battle.478

Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.479

When there is much running about480 and the soldiers fall into rank,481 it means that the critical moment has come.482

When some are seen advancing and some retreating, it is a lure.483

When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.484

If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst.485

If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained486 and makes no effort to secure it, the soldiers are exhausted.

If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied.487 Clamor by night betokens nervousness.488

If there is disturbance in the camp, the general’s authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot.489 If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary.490

When an army feeds its horses with grain and kills its cattle for food,491 and when the men do not hang their cooking-pots492 over the campfires,493 showing that they will not return to their tents, you may know that they are determined to fight to the death.494

The sight of men whispering together495 in small knots496 or speaking in subdued tones497 points to disaffection amongst the rank and file.498

Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at the end of his resources;499 too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress.500

To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy’s numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.501

When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.502

If the enemy’s troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or taking themselves off again, the situation is one that demands great vigilance and circumspection.503

If our troops are no more in number than the enemy, that is amply sufficient;504 it only means that no direct attack can be made.505 What we can do is simply to concentrate all our available strength, keep a close watch on the enemy, and obtain reinforcements.506

He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.507

If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be useless.508

Therefore soldiers must be treated in the first instance with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline.509 This is a certain road to victory.

If in training soldiers commands are habitually enforced, the army will be well-disciplined; if not, its discipline will be bad.510

If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed,511 the gain will be mutual.512

X Terrain513

Sun Tzǔ said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground;514 (2) entangling ground;515 (3) temporizing ground;516 (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights;517 (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy.518

Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.519

With regard to ground of this nature,520 be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots,521 and carefully guard your line of supplies.522