Chapter 4: Tactical Dispositions - The Art of War - Sun Tzu

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Episode Transcript

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Chapter four, Tactical Dispositions, Sunsusaid, the good fighters of old first
put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of
defeating the enemy. To secure ourselvesagainst defeat lies in our own hands.

(00:21):
But the opportunity of defeating the enemyis provided by the enemy himself. Thus
the good fighter is able to securehimself against defeat, but cannot make certain
of defeating the enemy. Hence thesaying one may know how to conquer without
being able to do it. Securityagainst defeat implies defensive tactics. Ability to

(00:46):
defeat the enemy means taking the offensive. Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength.
Attacking a superabundance of strength. Thegeneral who is skilled in defense hides
in the most secret recesses of theearth. He who is skilled in attack
flashes forth from the topmost heights ofheaven. Thus, on the one hand,

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we have the ability to protect ourselves. On the other, a victory
that is complete. To see victoryonly when it is within the kin of
the common herd is not the acmeof excellence. Neither is it the acme
of excellence. If you fight andconquer and the whole empire says, well
done. To lift an autumn hairis no sign of great strength. To

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see the sun and moon is nosign of sharp sight. To hear the
noise of thunder is no sign ofa quick ear. But the ancients called
a clever fighter is one who notonly wins, but excels in winning with
ease. Hence, his victories bringhim neither reputation for wisdom nor credit for

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courage. He wins his battles bymaking no mistakes. Making no mistakes is
what establishes the certainty of victory,for it means conquering an enemy that is
already defeated. Hence, the skillfulfighter puts himself into a position which makes
defeat impossible and does not miss themoment for defeating the enemy. Thus it

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is that in war, the victoriousstrategist only seeks battle after the victory has
been won, whereas he who isdestined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks
for victory. The consummate leader cultivatesthe moral law and strictly adheres to method
and discipline. Thus it is inhis power to control success. In respect

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of military method, we have firstly, measurement secondly estimation of quantity, thirdly
calculation, fourthly baland seeing of chances. Fifthly victory. Measurement owes its existence
to earth, estimation of quantity tomeasurement, calculation to estimation of quantity,

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balancing of chances to calculation, andvictory to balancing of chances. A victorious
army opposed to a routed one isas a pounds weight placed in the scale
against a single grain. The onrush of a conquering forces like the bursting
of pent up waters into a cassuma thousand fathoms deep. End of Chapter four