Chapter 8: Variation In Tactics - The Art of War - Sun Tzu

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Chapter eight variation in Tactics, Sunsusaid, in war, the general receives
his commands from the sovereign, collectshis army, and concentrates his forces when
in difficult country, do not encampin country where high roads intersect, join

(00:20):
hands with your allies, do notlinger in dangerously isolated positions, and himed.
In situations you must resort to stratagem. In desperate position, you must
fight. There are roads which mustnot be followed, armies which must be
not attacked, towns which must notbe besieged, positions which must not be

(00:44):
contested, commands of the sovereign whichmust not be obeyed. The general who
thoroughly understands the advantages that accompany variationof tactics knows how to handle his troops.
The general who does not understand thesemay be well acquainted with the configuration
of the country, yet he willnot be able to turn his knowledge to

(01:07):
practical account. So the student ofwar, 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 thebest use of his men. Hence,
the wise leader's plans considerations of advantageand of disadvantage will be blended together.

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If our expectation of advantage be temperedin this way, we may succeed in
accomplishing the essential part of our schemes. If, on the other hand,
in the midst of difficulties, weare always ready to seize an advantage,
we may extricate ourselves from misfortune,reduce the hostile chiefs by inflicting damage on

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them, and make trouble for them, and keep them constantly engaged, hold
out specious allurements, and make themrush to any given point. The art
of war teaches us to rely noton the likelihood of the enemies not coming,
but on our own readiness to receivehim. Not on the chance of

(02:15):
his not attacking, but rather onthe fact that we have made our position
unassailable. There are five dangerous faultswhich may affect a general One recklessness,
which leads to destruction. Two cowardice, which leads to capture. Three a

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hasty temper, which can be provokedby insults for a delicacy of honor which
is sensitive to shame. Five oversolicitude for his men, which exposes him
to worry and trouble. These arethe five besetting sins of a general ruinous
to the conduct of war. Whenan army is overthrown and its leader slain,

(03:00):
the cause will surely be found amongthese five dangerous faults. Let them
be the subject of meditation. Endof Chapter eight