08 Variation In Tactics - The Art of War - Lao Tzu

https://www.solgoodmedia.com Listen to hundreds of audiobooks, thousands of short stories, and ambient sounds all ad free! "Daily Philosophy" brings you daily episodes that dissect major philosophical questions and theories. Explore the intersections of philosophy with science, politics, and culture, and how these ideas shape our society. This podcast is a treasure trove for anyone eager to deepen their understanding of the philosophical landscape.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter eight variation in Tactics, Sun Sou 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

(00:21):
your allies. Do not linger in dangerously isolated positions in himed.
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 not

(00:41):
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

(01:04):
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,

(01:25):
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

(01:46):
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.

(02:06):
The art of war teaches us to rely not on
the likelihood of the enemies 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 One recklessness, which leads to destruction.

(02:31):
Two cowardice, which leads to capture. Three a hasty temper,
which can be provoked by insults. Four a delicacy of
honor which is sensitive to shame. Five over solicitude for
his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble. These

(02:52):
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 the subject of meditation.
End of Chapter eight