Chapter 7: Maneuvering - The Art of War - Sun Tzu

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Episode Transcript

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Chapter seven Maneuvering, Sansu said,in war, the general receives his commands
from the sovereign. Having collected anarmy and concentrated his forces, he must
blend and harmonize the different elements thereofbefore pitching his camp. After that comes

(00:20):
tactical maneuvering, than which there isnothing more difficult. The difficulty of tactical
maneuvering consists in turning the devious intothe direct, and misfortune into gain.
Thus, to take a long andcircuitous route, after enticing the enemy out
of the way, and though startingafter him, to contrive to reach the

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goal before him, shows knowledge ofthe artifice of deviation. Maneuvering with an
army is advantageous with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous. If you set a
fully equip army in march in orderto snatch an advantage, the chances are
that you will be too late.On the other hand, to detach a

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flying column for the purpose involves thesacrifice of its baggage and stores. Thus,
if you order your men to rollup their buff coats and make forced
marches without halting day or night,covering double the usual distance at a stretch
doing a hundred lee in order torest an advantage. The leaders of all

(01:30):
your three divisions will fall into thehands of the enemy. The stronger men
will be in front, the jadedones will fall behind. And on this
plan, only one tenth of yourarmy will reach its destination. If you
march fifty lie in order to outmaneuverthe enemy, you will lose the leader
of your first division, and onlyhalf your force will reach the goal.

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If you march thirty lie with thesame object, two thirds of your arm
will arrive. We will take itthen that an army without its baggage train
is lost. Without provisions, itis lost. Without bases of supply,
it is lost. We cannot enterinto alliances until we are acquainted with the

(02:16):
designs of our neighbors. We arenot fit to lead an army on the
march unless we are familiar with theface of the country, its mountains and
forests, its pitfalls and precipices,its marshes and swamps. We shall be
unable to turn natural advantage to accountunless we make use of local guides in

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war, practice dissimulation, and youwill succeed. Whether to concentrate or to
divide your troops must be decided bycircumstances. Let your rapidity be that of
the wind, your compactness that ofthe forest. In raiding and plundering,
be like fire, in immovability,like a mountain. Let your plans be

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dark and impenetrable as night. Andwhen you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
When you plunder a countryside, letthe spoil be divided amongst your men.
When you capture new territory, cutit up into allotments for the benefit
of the soldiery. Ponder and deliberatebefore you make a move. He will

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conquer who has alert the artifice ofdeviation. Such is the art of maneuvering.
The Book of Army Management says,on the field of battle, the
spoken word does not carry far enough, hence the institution of gongs and drums.
Nor can ordinary objects be seen clearlyenough, hence the institution of banners

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and flags. Gongs and drums,banners and flags are means whereby the ears
and eyes of the host may befolkstron one particular point the host, thus
forming a single united body. Itis impossible either for the brave to advance
alone or for the cowardly to retreatalone. This is the art of handling

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large masses of men in night fighting. Then make much use of signal,
fires and drums, and in fightingby day of flags and banners as a
means of influencing the ears and eyesof your army. A whole army may
be robbed of its spirit. Acommander in chief may be robbed of his
presence of mind. Now a soldier'sspirit is keenest in the morning, by

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noonday it has begun to flag,and in the evening his mind is bent
only on returning to camp. Aclever general therefore avoids an army when its
spirit is keen, but attacks itwhen it is sluggish and inclined to return.
This is the art of studying moodsdisciplined and calm, to await the

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appearance of disorder and hubbub amongst theenemy. This is the art of retaining
self possession, to be near thegoal while the enemy is still far from
it. To wait at ease whilethe enemy is toiling and struggling, To
be well fed while the enemy isfamished. This is the art of husbanding

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one's strength. To refrain from interceptingan enemy whose banners are in perfect ardor
to refrain from attacking an army drawnup in calm and confident array. This
is the art of studying circumstances.It is a military axiom not to advance
uphill against the enemy, nor tooppose him when he comes downhill. Do

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not pursue an enemy who simulates flight. Do not attack soldiers whose temper is
keen. Do not swallow bait offeredby the enemy. Do not inter fear
with an army that is returning home. When you surround an army, leave
an outlet free. Do not pressa desperate foe too hard. Such is

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the art of warfare. End ofChapter seven.