---
# System prepended metadata

title: Key takeaways from Sun Tzu

---

# Key takeaways from Sun Tzu

[01.15] If your enemies have advantage, bait them; if they are confused, capture them; if they are numerous, prepare for them; if they are strong, avoid them; if they are angry, disturb them; if they are humble, make them haughty; if they are relaxed, toil them; if they are united, separate them.


[01.19] Many calculations mean victory; few calculations mean no victory; then how much worse when there are no calculations? From this perspective I can clearly predict victory or defeat.

[02.08] Therefore, I have heard of military campaigns that were clumsy but swift, but I have never seen military campaigns that were skilled but protracted. No nation has ever benefited from protracted warfare.

[03.14] There are three ways the ruler can bring difficulty to the army: (1) To order an advance when not realizing the army is in no position to advance, or to order a withdrawal when not realizing the army is in no position to withdraw. This is called entangling the army.


[03.18] Therefore, there are five factors of knowing who will win: (1) One who knows when he can fight, and when he cannot fight, will be victorious; 

[03.19] (2) One who knows how to use both large and small forces will be victorious;

[03.20] (3) One who knows how to unite upper and lower ranks in purpose will be victorious;

[03.21] (4) One who is prepared and waits for the unprepared will be victorious;

[03.22] (5) One whose general is able and is not interfered by the ruler will be victorious. These five factors are the way to know who will win.



[04.12] Therefore, a victorious army first obtains conditions for victory, then seeks to do battle. A defeated army first seeks to do battle, then obtains conditions for victory.


[04.15] Measurements are derived from Ground, quantities are derived from measurement, calculations are derived from quantities, comparisons are derived from calculations, and victories are derived from comparisons.


[05.01] Generally, commanding many is like commanding a few. It is a matter of dividing them into groups. Doing battle with a large army is like doing battle with a small army. It is a matter of communications through flags and pennants.

[05.06] In battle, there are no more than two types of attacks: Common and uncommon, yet the variations of the common and uncommon cannot all be anticipated.


[05.08] The rush of torrential waters tossing boulders illustrates force. The strike of a bird of prey breaking the body of its target illustrates timing.


[05.13] Disorder coming from order is a matter of organization; fear coming from courage is a matter of force, weakness coming from strength is a matter of formation.


[07.22] Disciplined, wait for disorder; calm, wait for clamor. This is the way to manage the mind.

[07.23] Near, wait for the distant; rested, wait for the fatigued; full, wait for the hungry. This is the way to manage strength.


[08.03] There are routes not to be taken; there are armies not to be attacked; there are walled cities not to be besieged; there are grounds not to be penetrated; there are commands not to be obeyed.


[08.10] So the principles of warfare are: Do not depend on the enemy not coming, but depend on our readiness against him. Do not depend on the enemy not attacking, but depend on our position that cannot be attacked.

[08.11] Therefore, there are five dangerous traits of a general: He who is reckless can be killed.

[08.12] He who is cowardly can be captured.

[08.13] He who is quick tempered can be insulted.

[08.14] He who is moral can be shamed.

[08.15] He who is fond of the people can be worried.


[10.10] In warfare, there are flight, insubordination, deterioration, collapse, chaos, and setback. These six situations are not caused by Heaven or Ground, but by the general. 

[10.11] If the forces are equal, and one attacks ten, this is called flight. If the troops are strong but the officers weak,this is called insubordination. If the officers are strong but the troops weak, this is called deterioration. 

[10.12] If the officers are angry and insubordinate, doing battle with the enemy under anger and insubordination, and the general does not know their abilities, this is called collapse. 

[10.13] If the general is weak and not disciplined, his instructions not clear, the officers and troops lack discipline and their formation in disarray, this is called chaos. 


[11.45] Where you leave your country, and lead the troops across the border into enemy ground, this is called isolated ground. Where there are four sides open, this is called intersecting ground. Where you penetrated deep in enemy ground, this is called critical ground. Where you penetrated little in enemy ground, this is called marginal ground. Where the back is impassable and the front is narrow, this is called surrounded ground. Where there is nowhere to go, this is called deadly ground. 


[11.46] Therefore, on isolated ground, I have my troops united. 
(Review of dispersive ground: 11.05 "Therefore, on dispersive ground, do not do battle.")

[11.47] On marginal ground, I consolidate my troops. 
(Review of marginal ground: 11.06 "On marginal ground, do not stop.")

[11.48] On contentious ground, I hurry my back. 
(Review of contentious ground: 11.07 "On contentious ground, do not attack.")

[11.49] On open ground, I pay attention to our defenses. 
(Review of open ground: 11.08 "On open ground, do not become separated.")

[11.50] On intersecting ground, I strengthen our alliances. 
(Review of intersecting ground: 11.09 "On intersecting ground, form alliances.")

[11.51] On critical ground, I maintain continuous supply of provisions. 
(Review of critical ground: 11.10 "On critical ground, plunder.")

[11.52] On difficult ground, I press on quickly. 
(Review of difficult ground: 11.11 "On difficult ground, press on.")

[11.53] On surrounded ground, I block off openings. 
(Review of surrounded ground: 11.12 "On surrounded ground, be prepared.")

[11.54] On deadly ground, I show the troops our resolve to fight to the death. 
(Review of deadly ground: 11.13 "On deadly ground, do battle.")


[11.62] Command the masses like commanding one person. 

[11.63] Give your troops tasks, but do not reveal them your plans. 

