 Chapter 1 of The Art of War This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in a public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Paul Z. The Art of War by Sun Zi. Chapter 1 Laying Plans 1. Sun Zi said, The Art of War is of vital importance to the state. 2. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence, it is a subject of inquiry, or no account can be neglected. 3. The Art of War then is governed by five constant factors to be taken into account in one's deliberations when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field. 4. These are the moral law, heaven, earth, the commander, and method and discipline. 5 and 6. The moral law causes the people to be in complete accord with the ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger. 7. Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons. 8. Earth comprises distances, great and small, danger and security, open ground and narrow passes, the chances of life and death. 9. The commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness. 10. By method and discipline are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roles by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure. 11. These five heads should be familiar to every general. He who knows them will be victorious, he who knows them not will fail. 12. Therefore in your deliberations when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison. 13. Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the moral law? 2. Which of the two generals has most ability? 3. With whom lie the advantages derived from heaven and earth? 4. On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? 5. Which army is stronger? 6. On which side are officers and men more highly trained? 7. In which army is there the greater constancy, both in reward and punishment? 14. By means of these seven considerations, I can forecast victory or defeat. 15. The general that hearkens to my council and acts upon it will conquer. Let such one be retained in command. The general that hearkens not to my council nor acts upon it will suffer defeat. Let such one be dismissed. 16. While heading the prophet of my council, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules. 17. According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one's plans. 18. All warfare is based on deception. 19. Hence when able to attack, we must seem unable. When using our forces, we must seem inactive. When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away. When far away, we must make him believe we are near. 20. Hold out bakes to entice the enemy, feign disorder and crush him. 21. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. 22. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him, pretend to be weak that he may grow arrogant. 23. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. 24. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected. 25. These military devices leading to victory must not be divulged beforehand. 26. Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus, do many calculations lead to victory and few calculations to defeat? How much more no calculation at all? It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose. End of chapter 1. Chapter 2 of The Art of War This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in a public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Paul Z. The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Chapter 2. Waging War 1 Sun Tzu said, In the operations of war, where there are in the field a thousand swift chariots, as many heavy chariots, and a hundred thousand male clad soldiers, with provisions enough to carry them a thousand lee, the expenditure at home and at the front, including entertainment of guests, small items such as glue and paint, and some spent on chariots and armor, will reach the total of a thousand ounces of silver per day. Such is the cost of raising an army of one hundred thousand men, too. When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men's weapons will grow dull, and the ardor will be damned. If you lay siege to a tongue, you will exhaust your strength. 3. Again, if the campaign is protracted, the resources of the state will not be equal to the strength. 4. Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardor damned, your strength exhausted, and your treasure spent, other chieftains will spring up to take advantage of your extremity. Then no men, however wise, will be able to avert the consequences that must ensue. 5. Thus, though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays. 6. There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare. 7. It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on. 8. The skillful soldier does not raise a second levy. Neither are his supply wagons loaded more than twice. 9. Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy. Thus, the army will have food enough for its needs. 10. Poverty of the state exchequer causes an army to be maintained by contributions from a distance. Contributing to maintain an army at a distance causes the people to be impoverished. 11. On the other hand, the proximity of an army causes prices to go up, and high prices cause the people's substance to be drained away. 12. When the substance is drained away, the peasantry will be afflicted by heavy exactions. 13 and 14. With this loss of substance and exhaustion of strength, the homes of the people will be stripped bare, and three-tenths of the income will be dissipated, while government expenses for broken chariots, worn-out horses, bread plates and helmets, bows and arrows, spears and shields, protective mantles, draught oxen and heavy wagons will amount to four-tenths of its total revenue. 15. Hence, a wise general makes a point of foraging on the enemy. One cut-load of the enemy's provisions is equivalent to twenty of one's own, and likewise, a single pickle of his provinder is equivalent to twenty from one's own store. 16. Now in order to kill the enemy, our men must be roused to anger that there may be advantage from defeating the enemy. They must have their rewards. 17. Therefore, in chariot fighting, when ten or more chariots have been taken, those should be rewarded who took the first. Our own flag should be substituted for those of the enemy. And the chariots mingled and used in conjunction with ours. The captured soldiers should be kindly treated and kept. 18. This is called using the conquered fold to augment one's own strength. 19. In war then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns. 20. Thus, it may be known that the leader of armies is the arbiter of the people's fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril. End of Chapter 2. Chapter 3 of The Art of War This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in a public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Paul Z. The Art of War by Sun Zi. Chapter 3. Attack by Stratagem. 1. Sun Zi said, In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact. To shatter and destroy it is not so good. So too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it. To capture a regiment, a detachment, or a company entire than to destroy them. 2. Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence. Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. 3. Thus, the highest form of generalship is to bulk the enemy's plans. The next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces. The next, in order, is to attack the enemy's army in the field. And the worst policy of all is to besiege world cities. 4. The rule is not to besiege world cities, if it can possibly be avoided. The preparation of mantlets, movable shelters, and various implements of war will take up three whole months. And the piling up of mounds over against the wars will take three months more. 5. The general, unable to control his irritation, will launch his men to the assault like swarming ants, with the result that one third of his men are slain, while the tongue still remains untaken. Such are the disastrous effects of siege. 6. Therefore, the skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting. He captures the cities without laying siege to them. He overthrows the kingdom without lengthy operations in the field. 7. With his forces intact, he will dispute the mastery of the empire. And thus, without losing a man, his triumph will be complete. This is the method of attacking by strategy. 8. It is the rule in war, if our forces attend to the enemy's one to surround him. If five to one, to attack him. If twice as numerous, to divide our enemy into two. 9. If equally matched, we can offer battle. If slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy. If quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him. 10. Hence, though an obstinate fight may be made by a small force, in the end it must be captured by the larger force. 11. Now the general is the bulwark of the state. If the bulwark is complete at all points, the state will be strong. If the bulwark is defective, the state will be weak. 12. There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune upon his army. 13. One, by commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called hobbling the army. 14. Two, by attempting to govern an army in the same way as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of the conditions which obtain in an army. This causes restlessness in a soldier's minds. 15. Three, by employing the officers of his army without discrimination through ignorance of the military principle of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers. 16. But when the army is restless and distrustful, trouble is sure to come from the other feudal princes. This is simply bringing anarchy into the army and flinging victory away. 17. Thus, we may know that there are five essentials for victory. 1. He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. 2. He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. 3. He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. 4. He will win who, prepared himself, wakes to take the enemy unprepared. 5. He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign. 18. Hence the saying, if you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained, you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle. End of chapter 3, chapter 4 of The Art of War. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in a public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Paul Z. The Art of War by Swinze. Chapter 4. Tactical Dispositions. 1. Swinze said, the good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. 2. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands. But the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. 3. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy. 4. Hence the saying, one may know how to conquer without being able to do it. 5. Security against defeat implies defensive tactics. Ability to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive. 6. Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength. 7. Attacking a superabundance of strength. 7. The general who is skilled in defense hides in the most secret recesses of the earth. He who is skilled in attack flashes forth from the topmost heights of heaven. 8. Thus on the one hand we have ability to protect ourselves. On the other a victory that is complete. 8. To see victory only when it is within the can of the common herd is not the acme of excellence. 9. Neither is it the acme of excellence if you fight and conquer and the whole empire says well done. 10. To lift an autumn hair is no sign of Greek strength. To see the sun and moon is no sign of sharp sight. To hear the noise of thunder is no sign of a quick year. 11. What the ancients call the clever fighter is one who not only wins but excels in winning with ease. 12. Hence his victories bring him neither reputation for wisdom nor credit for courage. 13. He wins his battles by making no mistakes. Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated. 14. Hence the skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy. 15. Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won. Whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory. 16. The consummate leader cultivates the moral law and strictly adheres to method and discipline. Thus it is in his power to control success. 17. In respect of military method we have, firstly, measurement. Secondly, estimation of quantity. Thirdly, calculation. Fourthly, balancing of chances. Fifthly, victory. 18. Measurement owes its existence to earth. Estimation of quantity to measurement. Calculation to estimation of quantity. Balancing of chances to calculation. And victory to balancing of chances. 19. A victorious army opposed to a rooted one is as a punk's weight placed in a scale against a single grain. 20. The onrush of a conquering force is like the bursting of pent up waters into a chasm a thousand fathoms deep. End of chapter 4. Chapter 5 of The Art of War. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in a public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. The Art of War by Sun Zi. Chapter 5. Energy. 1. Sun Zi said, The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men. It is merely a question of dividing up their numbers. 2. Fighting with a large army under your command is no wise different from fighting with a small one. It is merely a question of instituting signs and signals. 3. To ensure that your whole host may withstand the brunt of the enemy's attack and remain unshaken. This is effected by maneuvers direct and indirect. 4. That the impact of your army may be like a grindstone dashed against an egg. This is effected by the signs of weak points and strong. 5. In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle. But indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory. 6. Indirect tactics, efficiently applied, are inexhaustible as heaven and earth, unending as the flow of rivers and streams. Like the sun and moon, they end but begin anew. Like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more. 7. There are not more than five musical notes. Yet, the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard. 8. There are not more than five primary colors. Blue, yellow, red, white and black. Yet, in combination, they produce more hues than can ever be seen. 9. There are not more than five cardinal tastes. Sour, acrid, salt, sweet, bitter. Yet, combinations of them yield more flavors than can ever be tasted. 10. In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack, the direct and the indirect. Yet, these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers. 11. The direct and the indirect lead on to each other in turn. It is like moving in a circle. You never come to an end. Who can exhaust the possibilities of the combination? 12. The onset of troops is like the rush of a torrent, which will even roast dongs along in its course. 13. The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon, which enables it to strike and destroy its victim. 14. Therefore, the good fighter will be terrible in his onset and prompt in his decision. 15. Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow. Decision to the releasing of a trigger. 16. Amid the turmoil and tumult of battle, there may be seeming disorder and yet no real disorder at all. Amid confusion and chaos, your array may be without head or tail. Yet, it will be proof against defeat. 17. Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline. 18. Simulated fear postulates courage. Simulated weakness postulates strength. 18. Hiding order beneath the cloak of disorder is simply a question of subdivision. Concealing courage under a show of timidity presupposes a fund of latent energy. Masking strength with weakness is to be effected by tactical dispositions. 19. Thus, one who is skillful at keeping the enemy on the move maintains deceitful appearances, according to which the enemy will act. He sacrifices something that the enemy may snatch at it. 20. By holding out baits, he keeps him on the march. Then, with a body of pecked men, he lies in wait for him. 21. The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy and does not require too much from individuals. Hence, his ability to pick out the right men and utilize combined energy. 22. When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become, as it were like, until rolling logs or stones. For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground and to move when on a slope. A four-cornered to come to a standstill, but if round shaped to go rolling down. 23. Thus, the energy developed by good fighting men is as the momentum of a round stone rolled down a mountain thousands of feet in height. So much on the subject of energy. End of Chapter 5. Chapter 6 of The Art of War This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in a public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org The Art of War by Sun Zi. Chapter 6. Weak points and strong. 1. Sun Zi said, Whoever is first in the field and awakes the coming of the enemy will be fresh for the fight. Whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted. 2. Therefore, the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him. 3. By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to approach of his own accord or by inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the enemy to draw near. 4. If the enemy is taking his ease, he can harass him. If well supplied with food, he can starve him out. If quietly encamped, he can force him to move. 5. Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend. March swiftly to places where you are not expected. 6. An army may march great distances without distress. If it marches through country where the enemy is not. 7. You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended. You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked. 8. Hence, that general is skillful in attack, whose opponent does not know what to defend. And he is skillful in defense, whose opponent does not know what to attack. 9. Oh divine art of subtlety and secrecy. Through you, we learn to be invisible. Through you, inaudible. And hence, we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands. 10. You may advance and be absolutely irresistible. If you make for the enemy's weak points. You may retire and be safe from pursuit if your movements are more rapid than those of the enemy. 11. If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high rampart at a deep ditch. All we need to do is attack some other place that he will be obliged to relieve. 12. If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment are merely traced out on the ground. All we need to do is to throw something odd and unaccountable in his way. 13. By discovering the enemy's dispositions and remaining invisible ourselves, we can keep our forces concentrated while the enemy must be divided. 14. We can form a single united body while the enemy must split up into fractions. Hence, there will be a hole pitted against separate parts of a hole. Which means that we shall be many to the enemy's fuel. 15. If we are able thus to attack an inferior force with a superior one, our opponents will be in dire straits. 16. The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known. For then, the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points. And his forces being thus distributed in many directions. The numbers we shall have to face at any given point will be proportionately few. 17. 4. Should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear. Should he strengthen his rear, he will weaken his van. Should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right. Should he strengthen his right, he will weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak. 18. Numerical weakness comes from having to prepare against possible attacks. Numerical strength from compelling our adversary to make these preparations against us. 19. Knowing the place and the time of the coming battle, we may concentrate from the greatest distances in order to fight. 20. But if neither time nor place be known, then the left wing will be impotent to succour to right. The right equally impotent to succour to left. The van unable to relieve the rear or the rear to support the van. How much more so if the furthest portions of the army are anything under a hundred li apart and even the nearest are separated by several li? 21. Though according to my estimate, the soldiers of Yue exceed our only number, that shall advantage them nothing in a matter of victory. I say then that victory can be achieved. 22. Though the enemy be stronger in numbers, we may prevent him from fighting. Scheme so as to discover his plans and the likelihood of their success. 23. Rouse him and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself so as to find out his vulnerable spots. 24. Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is super abundant and where it is deficient. 25. To making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain is to conceal them. Conceal your dispositions and you will be safe from the prying of the subtlest spies, from the machinations of the wisest brains. 26. How victory may be produced for them out of the enemy's own tactics, that is what the multitude cannot comprehend. 27. All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved. 28. Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances. 29. Military tactics are like underwater. For water, in its natural course, runs away from high places and hazens downwards. 30. So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak. 31. Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows. The soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. 32. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. 33. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning may be called a heaven-born captain. 34. The five elements, water, fire, wood, metal, earth, are not always equally predominant. The four seasons make way for each other in turn. There are short days and long. The moon has its periods of waning and waxing. End of Chapter 6. Chapter 7 of The Art of War This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Chapter 7. Maneuvering. 1. Sun Tzu said, In war the general receives his commands from the sovereign. 2. Having collected an army and concentrated his forces, he must blend and harmonize the different elements thereof before pitching his camp. 3. That comes tactical maneuvering, than which there is nothing more difficult. The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct and misfortune into gain. 4. Thus to take a long and circuitous route after enticing the enemy out of the way and though starting after him to strive to reach the goal before him shows knowledge of the artifice of deviation. 5. Maneuvering with an army is advantageous, with an undisciplined multitude most dangerous. 6. If you set a fully equipped army in March, in order to snatch an advantage, chances are that you will be too late. On the other hand, to detach a flying column for the purpose involves the sacrifice of his baggage and stores. 7. Thus if you order your men to roll up their buffcoats and make forced marches without holding day or night, covering double the usual distance at a stretch, doing a hundred li in order to rest an advantage, the leaders of all your three divisions will fall into the hands of the enemy. 8. The stronger men will be in front, the jaded ones will fall behind, and on this plan only one tenth of your army will reach its destination. 9. If you march 50 li in order to outmaneuver the enemy, you will lose the leader of your first division, and only half your force will reach the goal. 10. If you march 30 li with the same object, two thirds of your army will arrive. 11. We may take it then, that an army without its baggage train is lost. Without provisions, it is lost. Without basis of supply, it is lost. 12. We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbours. 13. We are not fit to lead an army on the march, unless we are familiar with the face of the country, its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. 14. We shall be unable to turn natural advantage to account, unless we make use of local guides. 15. In war, practice this simulation, and you will succeed. 16. Whether to concentrate or to divide your troops must be decided by circumstances. 17. Let your rapidity be that of the wind, your compactness dead of the forest. 18. In raiding and plundering be like fire, is immovability like a mountain. 19. Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move fall like a thunderbolt. 20. When you plunder a countryside, let the spoil be divided amongst your men. When you capture new territory, cut it up into allotments for the benefit of the soldiery. 21. Ponder and deliberate before you make a move. 22. He will conquer who has learned the artifice of deviation. Such is the art of maneuvering. 23. 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 clearly enough. Hence the institution of banners and flags. 24. Gongs and drums, banners and flags, a means whereby the ears and eyes of the host may be focused on one particular point. 25. The host does forming a single united body. Is it impossible either for the brave to advance alone, or for the cowardly to retreat alone? This is the art of handling large masses of men. 26. In night fighting, then, make much use of signal files and drums, and in fighting by day, of flags and banners, as a means of influencing the ears and eyes of your army. 27. A whole army may be robbed of its spirit. A commander-in-chief may be robbed of his presence of mind. 28. Now, a soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning. By noon day, it has begun to flag, and in the evening his mind is bent only on returning to camp. 29. A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods. 30. Disciplined and calm. To await the appearance of disorder and hubbub amongst the enemy. This is the art of retaining self-possession. 31. To be near the goal while the enemy is still far from it. To wait at ease while the enemy is toiling and struggling. To be well fed while the enemy is famished. This is the art of husbanding one strength. 32. To refrain from intercepting an enemy whose banners are in perfect order. To refrain from attacking an army drawn up in calm and confident array. This is the art of studying circumstances. 33. It is a military axiom not to advance uphill against the enemy, nor to oppose him when he comes downhill. 34. Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight. Do not attack soldiers whose temper is keen. 35. Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home. 36. When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard. 37. Such is the art of warfare. End of chapter 7. Chapter 8. Of the art of war. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Art of War by Sun Zi. Chapter 8. Variation in Tactics. 1. Sun Zi said, In war, the general receives his commands from the sovereign, collects his army and concentrates his forces. 2. When in difficult country, do not encamp. In country where high rows intersect, join hands with your allies. Do not linger in dangerously isolated positions. In hemmed in situations, you must resort to stratagem. In desperate position, you must fight. 3. There are rows which must not be followed. Armies which must be not attacked. Tongues which must not be besieged. Positions which must not be contested. Commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed. 4. The general who thoroughly understands the advantages that accompany variation of tactics knows how to handle his troops. 5. The general who does not understand these may be well acquainted with the configuration of the country. Yet, he will not be able to turn his knowledge to practical account. 6. 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. 7. Hence, in the wise leader's plans, considerations of advantage and of disadvantage will be blended together. 8. If our expectation of advantage be tempered in this way, we may succeed in accomplishing the essential part of our schemes. 9. If, on the other hand, in a midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune. 10. 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. 11. The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemies not coming, but on our own readiness to receive them, not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable. 12. There are five dangerous thoughts which may affect a general. 1. Recklessness which leads to destruction. 2. Cowardice which leads to capture. 3. A hasty temper which can be provoked by insults. 4. A delicacy of honour which is sensitive to shame. 5. Over solicitude for his men which exposes him to worry and trouble. 13. These are the five besetting sins of a general, ruinous to the conduct of war. 14. When an army is overthrown and its leaders slain, the cause will surely be found among these five dangerous thoughts. Let them be a subject of meditation. End of chapter 8. Chapter 9 of The Art of War. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Art of War by Swinze. Chapter 9. The Army on the March. 1. Swinze said, We come now to the question of encamping the army and observing signs of the enemy. Pass quickly over mountains and keep in the neighbourhood of valleys. 2. Camp in high places facing the sun. Do not climb heights in order to fight. So much for mountain warfare. 3. After crossing a river, you should get far away from it. 4. When an invading force crosses a river in its onward march, do not advance to meet it in mistream. It will be best to let half the army get across and then deliver your attack. 5. If you are anxious to fight, you should not go to meet the invader near a river, which he has to cross. 6. More your craft higher up than the enemy and facing the sun. Do not move upstream to meet the enemy. So much for river warfare. 7. In crossing salt marshes, your sole concern should be to get over them quickly without any delay. 8. If forced to fight in a salt marsh, you should have water and grass near you and get your back to a clump of trees. So much for operations in salt marshes. 9. In dry-level country, take up an easily accessible position with rising ground to your right and on your rear so that the danger may be in front and safety lie behind. So much for campaigning in flat country. 10. These are the four useful branches of military knowledge which enable the Yellow Emperor to vanquish your several sovereigns. 11. All armies prefer high ground to low and sunny places to dark. 12. If you are careful of your men and camp on hard ground, the army will be free from disease of every kind and this will spell victory. 13. When you come to a hill or a bank, occupy the sunny side with the slope on your right rear. Thus you will at once act for the benefit of your soldiers and utilize the natural advantages of the ground. 14. When in consequence of heavy rains of country, a river which you wish to thwart is swollen and flagged with foam, you must wait until it subsides. 15. Country in which there are precipitous cliffs with torrents running between, deep natural hollows, confined places, tangled thickets, quagmires and crevasses should be left with all possible speed and not approached. 16. While we keep away from such places, we should get the enemy to approach them. While we face them, we should let the enemy have them on his rear. 17. If in the neighborhood of your camp there should be any hilly country, ponds surrounded by aquatic grass, hollow basins filled with reeds or woods with thick undergrowth, they must be carefully rooted out and searched. For these are places when men in ambush or insidious spies are likely to be lurking. 18. When the enemy is close at hand and remains quiet, he is relying on the natural strength of his position. 19. When he keeps aloof and tries to provoke a battle, he is anxious for the other side to advance. 20. If his place of encampment is easy of access, he is tendering a bait. 21. Movement amongst the trees of a forest shows that the enemy is advancing. The appearance of a number of screens in the midst of thick grass means that the enemy wants to make us suspicious. 22. The rising of birds in the flight is the sign of an ambush chaired. 23. Statute beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming. 23. When there is dust rising in the high column, it is the sign of chariots advancing. When the dust is low, but spread over a wide area, it betokens the approach of infantry. When it branches out in different directions, it shows that parties have been sent to collect firewood. A few clouds of dust moving to and fro signify that the army is encamping. 24. Humble words and increased preparations assigns that the enemy is about to advance. Violent language and driving forward to the attack assigns that he will retreat. 25. When the like chariots come out first and take up a position on the wings, it is a sign that the enemy is forming for battle. 26. Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot. 27. When there is much running about and the soldiers fall into rank, it means that the critical moment has come. 28. When some are seen advancing and some retreating, it is a lure. 29. When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food. 30. If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst. 31. If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained and makes no effort to secure it, the soldiers are exhausted. 32. If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied. 33. If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary. 34. When an army feeds its horses with grain and kills its cattle for food, then when the men do not hang the cooking pots over the campfires, showing that they will not return to their tents, you may know that they are determined to fight to the death. 35. The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank and file. 36. Two frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at the end of his resources. Too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress. 37. To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers shows a supreme lack of intelligence. 38. When envoys ascend with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. 39. If the enemy's troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or taking themselves off again, the situation is one that demands great vigilance and circumspection. 40. If our troops are no more in number than the enemy, that is simply sufficient. It only means that no direct attack can be made. What we can do is simply to concentrate all our available strength, keep a close watch on the enemy and obtain reinforcements. 41. He who exercises no forethought and makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them. 42. If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive. And unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If when soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be useless. 43. Therefore, soldiers must be treated in the first instance with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline. This is a certain role to victory. 44. If in training soldiers' commands are habitually enforced, the army will be well disciplined. If not, his discipline will be bad. 45. If a general shows confidence in his men, but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the game will be mutual. End of Chapter 9, Chapter 10 of The Art of War. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in a public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Chapter 10. 1. Sun Tzu said, We may distinguish six kinds of terrain to wit one accessible ground, 2. Entangling ground, 3. Temporizing ground, 4. Narrow passes, 5. Precipitous hikes, 6. Positions at a great distance from the enemy, 2. Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible, 3. With regard to ground of this nature, the enemy before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots and carefully guard your line of supplies, then you will be able to fight with advantage. 4. Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to reoccupy is called entangling. 5. From position of this sword, if the enemy is unprepared, they sadly forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is prepared for your coming and you fail to defeat him, then return being impossible. Disaster will ensue. 6. When a position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporizing ground. 7. In a position of this sword, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in his turn. Then, when part of his army has come out, we may deliver our attack with advantage. 8. With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advance of the enemy. 9. Should the army forestore you in occupying a pass, do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it is weakly garrisoned. 10. With regard to precipitous hikes, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots and there wait for him to come up. 11. If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away. 12. If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle and fighting will be to your disadvantage. 13. These six are the principles connected with Earth. The general who has attained a responsible post must be careful to study them. 14. Now an army is exposed to six several kilometers, not rising from natural courses, but from forts for which the general is responsible. These are 1. Flight. 2. In subordination. 3. Collapse. 4. Ruin. 5. Disorganization. 6. Route. 15. Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled against another ten times its size, the result will be the flight of the former. 16. When the common soldiers are too strong and the officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse. 17. When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate and on meeting the enemy, give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment. Before the commander in chief can tell whether or not he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin. 18. When the general is weak and without authority, when his orders are not clear and distinct, when there are no fixed duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a lovingly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization. 19. When the general unable to estimate the enemy's strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one and neglects to place picked soldiers in the front rank, the result must be wrought. 20. These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained the responsible post. 21. The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally. By the power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers and distances, constitutes the test of great general. 22. He who knows these things and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice will win his battles. He who knows them not nor practices them will surely be defeated. 23. If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it. If fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding. 24. The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign is the jewel of the kingdom. 25. Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys. Look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death. 26. If, however, you are indulgent but unable to make your authority felt, kind-hearted but unable to enforce your commands and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder, then your soldiers must be likened to spoiled children. They are useless for any practical purpose. 27. If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory. 28. If we know that the enemy is open to attack but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory. 29. If we know that the enemy is open to attack and also know that our men are in a condition to attack but are unaware that the nature of the ground makes fighting impracticable, we have still gone only halfway towards victory. 30. Hence, the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered. Once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss. 31. Hence, the saying, if you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt. If you know heaven and know earth, you may make your victory complete. End of chapter 10. Chapter 11 of The Art of War This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Art of War by Swinze. Chapter 11. The Nine Situations. 1. Swinze said, The Art of War recognizes nine varieties of ground. 1. Dispersive ground. 2. Fessile ground. 3. Contentious ground. 4. Open ground. 5. Ground of intersecting highways. 6. Serious ground. 7. Difficult ground. 8. Hemmed in ground. 9. Desperate ground. 2. When a chieftain is fighting in his own territory, it is dispersive ground. 3. When he is penetrated into hostile territory, but to no great distance, it is fessile ground. 4. Ground, the possession of which imports great advantage to either side, is contentious ground. 5. Ground on which each side has liberty of movement is open ground. 6. Ground which forms the key to three contiguous stakes so that he who occupies it first has most of the empire at his command is a ground of intersecting highways. 7. When an army has penetrated into the heart of a hostile country, leaving a number of fortified cities in its rear, it is serious ground. 8. Mountain forests, rugged steeps, marshes and fence, all country that is hard to traverse, this is difficult ground. 9. Ground which is reached through narrow gorges and from which we can only retire by tortuous paths so that a small number of the enemy will suffice to crush a large body of our men. This is hemding ground. 10. Ground on which we can only be saved from destruction by fighting without delay is desperate ground. 11. On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not. On fesser ground, hold not. On contentious ground, attack not. 12. On open ground, do not try to block the enemy's way. On the ground of intersecting highways, join hands with the allies. 13. On serious ground, gather in plunder. In difficult ground, keep steadily on the march. 14. On hemmed in ground, resort to stratagem. On desperate ground, fight. 15. Those who were called skillful leaders of old knew how to drive a wedge between the enemy's front and rear to prevent cooperation between his large and small divisions, to hinder the good troops from rescuing the bad, the officers from rallying the men. 16. When the enemy's men were united, they managed to keep them in disorder. 17. When it was to their advantage, they made a forward move. When otherwise, they stopped still. 18. They asked how to cope with the great host of the enemy in orderly array, and on the point of marching to the attack, I should say, begin by seizing something which your opponent hosts dear. Then he will be amenable to your will. 19. Rapidity is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness. Make a way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots. 20. The following are the principles to be observed by an invading force. The further you penetrate into a country, the greater will be the solidarity of your troops, and thus the defenders will not prevail against you. 21. Make forays in fertile country in order to supply your army with food. 22. Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not over-text them. Concentrate your energy and hold your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans. 23. Throw your soldiers into positions when there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and men alike will put forth their uttermost strength. 24. Soldiers, when in desperate straits, lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard. 25. Thus, without waiting to be marshaled, the soldiers will be constantly on the key-vieve. Without waiting to be asked, they will do your will. Without restrictions, they will be faithful. Without giving orders, they can be trusted. 26. Prohibit the taking of omens and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared. 27. If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a state for riches. If their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are inclined to longevity. 28. On the day they are ordered out to battle, your soldiers may weep. Those sitting up be doing the garments and those lying down, letting the tears run down their cheeks. But let them once be brought to bay, and they will display the courage of a shoe or a quay. 29. The skillful tactician may be likened to the Shui-jian. Now, the Shui-jian is a snake that is found in the Chong Mountains. Strike at its head and you will be attacked by its tail. Strike at its tail and you will be attacked by its head. Strike at its middle and you will be attacked by head and tail, both. 30. Asked if an army can be made to imitate the Shui-jian, I should answer yes. For the men of Wu and the men of Yue are enemies. Yet, if they are crossing a river in the same boat and caught by a storm, they will come to each other's assistance as the left-hand helps the right. 31. Hence, it is not enough to put one's trust in the tethering of horses and the bearing of chariot wheels in the ground. 32. The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage, which all must reach. 33. How to make the best of both strong and weak? That is a question involving the proper use of ground. 34. Thus, the skillful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand. 35. It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy, upright and just and thus maintain order. 36. He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances and thus keep them in total ignorance. 37. By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, he keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. By shifting his camp and taking security's routes, he prevents the enemy from anticipating his purpose. 38. At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him. He carries his men deep into the hostile territory before he shows his hand. 39. He burns his boats and breaks his cooking pots like a shepherd driving a flock of sheep. He drives his men this way and that and nothing knows whether he is going. 40. To muster his host and bring it into danger, this may be termed the business of the general. 41. The different measures suited to the nine varieties of ground, the expediency of aggressive or defensive tactics and the fundamental laws of human nature, these are things that must most certainly be studied. 42. When invading hostile territory, the general principle is that penetrating deeply brings cohesion. Penetrating, but a short way, means dispersion. 43. When you leave your own country behind and take your army across neighborhood territory, you find yourself on critical ground. When there are means of communication on all four sides, the ground is one of intersecting highways. 44. When you penetrate deeply into a country, it is serious ground. When you penetrate, but a little way, it is fessile ground. 45. When you have the enemy's strongholds on your rear and narrow passes in front, it is hemmed in ground. When there is no place of refuge at all, it is desperate ground. 46. Therefore, on dispersive ground, I would inspire my men with unity of purpose. On fessile ground, I would see that there is close connection between all parts of my army. 47. On contentious ground, I would hurry up my rear. 48. On open ground, I would keep a vigilant eye on my defenses. On ground of intersecting highways, I would consolidate my alliances. 49. On serious ground, I would try to ensure a continuous stream of supplies. On difficult ground, I would keep pushing on along the road. 50. On hemmed in ground, I would block any way of retreat. On desperate ground, I would proclaim to my soldiers the hopelessness of saving their lives. 51. For it is the soldier's disposition to offer an obstinate resistance when surrounded, to fight hard when he cannot help himself, and to obey promptly when he has fallen into danger. 52. We cannot enter into alliance with neighboring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country, its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides. 53. To be ignored of any one of the following four or five principles does not be fit a warlike prince. 54. When a warlike prince attacks a powerful state, his generalship shows itself in preventing the concentration of the enemy's forces. He overaws his opponents and the allies are prevented from joining against him. 55. Hence he does not strive to ally himself with awe and sundry, nor does he foster the power of other states. He carries out his own secret designs, keeping his antagonists in awe. Thus he is able to capture the cities and overthrow the kingdoms. 56. Bestow rewards without regard to rule. Issue orders without regard to previous arrangements. And you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man. 57. Confront your soldiers with the deed itself. Never let them know your design. When the outlook is bright, bring it before the eyes but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy. 58. Place your army in deadly peril and it will survive. Plunge it into desperate strikes and it will come off in safety. 59. For it is precisely when a force has fallen into harm's way that is capable of striking a blow for victory. 60. Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose. 61. By persistently hanging on the enemy's flank we shall succeed in the long run in killing the commander-in-chief. 62. This is called ability to accomplish a thing by sheer cunning. 63. On the day that you take up your command block the front passes, destroy the official tallies and stop the passage of all emissaries. 64. Be stern in the council chamber so that you may control the situation. 65. If the enemy leaves the door open you must rush in. 66. Forstore your opponent by seizing what he holds dear and subtly contrive the time his arrival on the ground. 67. Walk in the path defined by rule and accommodate yourself to the enemy until you can fight a decisive battle. 68. At first then exhibit the coiners of a maiden until the enemy gives you an opening. 69. Afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you. End of chapter 11. Chapter 12 of the Art of War This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. The Art of War by Sunze. Chapter 12. The Attack by Fire. 1. Sunze said there are five ways of attacking with fire. The first is to burn soldiers in the camp. The second is to burn stores. The third is to burn baggage trains. The fourth is to burn arsenals and magazines. The fifth is to hurl dropping fire amongst the enemy. Two. In order to carry out an attack we must have means available. The material for raising fire must always be kept in readiness. Three. There is a proper season for making attacks with fire and special days for starting a conflagration. Four. The proper season is when the weather is very dry. The special days are those when the moon is in the constellations of the sea, the war, the wing or the crossbar. For these four are all days of rising wind. Five. In attacking with fire one should be prepared to meet five possible developments. Six. One. When fire breaks out inside the enemy's camp respond at once with an attack from without. Seven. Two. If there is an outbreak of fire enemy soldiers remain quiet, bide your time and do not attack. Eight. Three. When the force of the flames has reached its height follow it up with an attack. If that is practicable if not stay where you are. Nine. Four. If it is possible to make an assault with fire from without do not wait for it to break out within but deliver your attack at a favorable moment. Ten. Five. When you start a fire be to winward of it. Do not attack from the leeward. Eleven. A win that rises in the daytime lasts long but the night breeze soon falls. Twelve. In every army the five developments connected with fire must be known. The movements of the stars calculated and the watch kept for the proper days. Thirteen. Hence those who use fire as an aid to the attack show intelligence. Those who use water as an aid to the attack gain an accession of strength. Fourteen. By means of water an enemy may be intercepted but not robbed of all his belongings. Fifteen. Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirits of enterprise. For the result is waste of time and generous stagnation. Sixteen. Hence the saying the enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead. The good general cultivates his resources. Seventeen. Move not unless you see an advantage. Use not your troops unless there is something to be gained. Fight not unless the position is critical. Eighteen. No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen. No general should fight the battle simply out of peak. Nineteen. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move. If not, stay where you are. Twenty. Anger may in time change to gladness. Vacation may be succeeded by content. Twenty-one. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being. Nor can the dead ever be brought back to life. Twenty-two. Hence the enlightened ruler is heedful and the good general full of caution. This is the way to keep a country at peace and an army intact. End of Chapter 12. Chapter 13 of The Art of War. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in a public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Art of War by Sun Zhe. Chapter 13. The Use of Spies. One. Sun Zhe said, Raising a host of a hundred thousand men and marching them great distances entails heavy laws on the people and a drain on the resources of the state. The daily expenditure will amount to a thousand ounces of silver. There will be commotion at home and abroad and men will drop down exhausted on the highways. As many as 700,000 families will be impeded in the labor. Two. Hostile armies may face each other for years, striving for the victory which is decided in a single day. This being so, to remain in ignorance of the enemy's condition simply because one grudges the outlay of a hundred ounces of silver in honors and in monuments is the height of inhumanity. Three. One who acts thus is no leader of men. No present help to his sovereign. No master of victory. Four. Thus, what enables to wise sovereign and a good general to strike and conquer and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men is four knowledge. Five. Now, this four knowledge cannot be elicited from spirits. It cannot be obtained inductively from experience nor by any deductive calculation. Six. Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men. Seven. Hence the use of spies of whom there are five classes. One. Local spies. Two. Inward spies. Three. Converted spies. Four. Doomed spies. Five. Surviving spies. Eight. When these five kinds of spies are all at work, none can discover the secret system. This is called divine manipulation of the threats. It is the sovereign's most precious faculty. Nine. Having local spies means employing the services of the inhabitants of a district. Ten. Having inward spies making use of officials of the enemy. Eleven. Having converted spies. Getting hold of the enemy's spies and using them for our own purposes. Twelve. Having doomed spies. Doing certain things openly for purposes of deception and allowing our spies to know of them and report them to the enemy. Thirteen. Surviving spies, finally, are those who bring back news from the enemy's camp. Fourteen. Hence, it is that which none in the whole army are more intimate relations to be maintained than with spies. None should be more liberally rewarded. And no other business should great to secrecy be preserved. Fifteen. Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity. Sixteen. They cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. Seventeen. Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of the reports. Eighteen. Be subtle. Be subtle. And use your spies for every kind of business. Nineteen. If a secret piece of news is divulged by a spy before the time is ripe, he must be put to death together with the men to whom the secret was told. Twenty. Whether the object be to crush an army, to storm a city, or to assassinate an individual. It is always necessary to begin by finding out the names of the attendants, the eight to come, and doorkeepers and sentries of the general in command. Our spies must be commissioned to ascertain these. Twenty-one. The enemy's spies, who have come to spy on us, must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus, they will become converted spies and available for our service. Twenty-two. It is through the information brought by the converted spy that we are able to acquire and employ local and inward spies. Twenty-three. It is owing to his information, again, that we can cause the doomed spy to carry false tidings to the enemy. Twenty-four. Lastly, it is by his information that the surviving spy can be used on appointed occasions. Twenty-five. The end and aim of spying in all its five varieties is knowledge of the enemy, and this knowledge can only be derived in the first instance from the converted spies. Hence, it is essential that the converted spy be treated with the utmost liberality. Twenty-six. Of old, the rise of the Yin dynasty was due to Yi Qi, who had served under the Xua. Likewise, the rise of the Zhao dynasty was due to Lu Ya, who had served under the Yin. Twenty-seven. Hence, it is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest influence of the army for purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results. Spies are a most important element in water, because on them depends an army's ability to move. End of Chapter 13. End of the Art of War by Sun Zhe.