Chapter 8 - Variation in Tactics

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Episode Transcript

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Chapter eight variation in tactics. Oneswinter said, in war, the general
receives his commands from the sovereign,collects his army, and concentrates his forces.

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Two. When in difficult country,do not encamp in country where hide
rows intersect, join hands with yourallies. Do not linger in dangerously isolated
positions. In hemmed in situations,you must resort to stratagem. In desperate

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position, you must fight. Three. There are rows which must not be
followed, armies which must be notattacked, tongues which must not be besieged,
positions which must not be contested,commands of the sovereign which must not

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be obeyed. Four. The generalwho thoroughly understands the advantages that a company
variation of tactics knows how to handlehis troops. Five. The general who
does not understand these may be wellacquainted with the configuration of the country,

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yet he will not be able toturn his knowledge to practical account. Six.
So the student of war, whois unversed in the art of war
of varying his plans, even thoughhe be acquainted with the five advantages,
will fail to make the best useof his men. Seven. Hence,

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in the wise leader's plans, considerationsof advantage and of disadvantage will be blended
together. Eight. If our expectationof advantage be tempered in this way,
we may succeed in accomplishing the essentialpart of our schemes. Nine. If,

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on the other hand, in themidst of difficulties, we are always
ready to seize an advantage, wemay extricate ourselves from misfortune. Ten.
Reduce the hostile chiefs by inflicting damageon them, and make trouble for them,

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and keep them constantly engaged. Holdour specious allurements, and make them
rush to any given point. Eleven. The art of war teaches us to
rely not on the likelihood of theenemy's not coming, but on our own

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readiness to receive him, on thechance of his not attacking, but rather
on the fact that we have madeour position unassailable. Twelve. There are
five dangerous forts which may affect ageneral One recklessness, which leads to destruction,

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two cowardice, which leads to capture. Three a hasty temper, which
can be provoked by insults. Foura delicacy of honor which is sensitive to
shame. Five over solicitude for hismen, which exposes him to worry and

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trouble. Thirteen These are the fivebesetting sins of a general ruinous to the
conduct of war. Fourteen. Whenan army is overthrown and its leaders slain,
the course will surely be found amongthese five dangerous forts. Let them

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be a subject of meditation. Endof Chapter eight