The art of war

Sun Tzu said: The control of a large force is the same in 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 nowise 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 manœuvres direct

and indirect.

4. That the impact of your army may be like a grindstone dashed against

an egg this is effected by the science 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 to 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 colours, yet in combination they

produce more hues than can ever been seen.

9. There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations of them

yield more flavours 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 manœuvres.

Dettagli