The Art of War: 8

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Chapter 8 - Variations

Art of War : Intro - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - Conclusion

My interpretation.

Literal translation by Lionel Giles.

While commands come from the top, we must not lose sight of the goals. The spirit of the command is more important than the letter of the command. There are some commands that must not be followed. Do not lose site of the goal and do not dawdle. If you can't make your own decisions and focus on the ends, then you cannot lead effectively.

So if you can only follow directions or plans, then you are not a true leader. See the big picture, and adapt to it. Opportunities are seldom in the plans.

Once started on the path to success, do not stop. Harass all that get in the way. Be resolute in your goal. And avoid the pitfalls:

  • don't be reckless
  • don't be a coward
  • control your ego and anger
  • and while you should be concerned with your troops, you must focus first on the victory

These have been the downfall of many men, reflect so you do not become one of them.

Sun Tzu said: In war, the general receives his commands from the sovereign, collects his army and concentrates his forces.

When in difficult country, do not encamp. In country where high roads intersect, join hands with your allies. Do not linger in dangerously isolated positions. In hemmed-in situations, you must resort to stratagem. In desperate position, you must fight.

There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must be not attacked, towns which must be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.

The general who thoroughly understands the advantages that accompany variation of tactics knows how to handle his troops. The general who does not understand these, may be well acquainted with the configuration of the country, yet he will not be able to turn his knowledge to practical account. So, the student of war who is unversed in the art of war of varying his plans, even though he be acquainted with the Five Advantages, will fail to make the best use of his men.

Hence in the wise leader's plans, considerations of advantage and of disadvantage will be blended together. If our expectation of advantage be tempered in this way, we may succeed in accomplishing the essential part of our schemes.

If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.

Reduce the hostile chiefs by inflicting damage on them; and make trouble for them, and keep them constantly engaged; hold out specious allurements, and make them rush to any given point.

The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.

There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general:

  1. Recklessness, which leads to destruction;
  2. cowardice, which leads to capture;
  3. hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults;
  4. a delicacy of honor which is sensitive to shame;
  5. over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble.

These are the five besetting sins of a general, ruinous to the conduct of war.

When an army is overthrown and its leader slain, the cause will surely be found among these five dangerous faults. Let them be a subject of meditation.

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