CHAPTER 3 Attack By Strategem

故上兵伐谋, 其次伐交, 其次伐兵, 下政攻城
Destroy the enemy’s plan is the best.

攻城之法为不得已。修槽镇轻、具器械、三月而后成
During the war, we need a full preparation to besiege a walled city. It will spend a lot of time.

将不胜其忿, 而仪附之
The general may lose their patience before the engines of attacking prepared.

拔人之城而非攻也, 人之国而非久也。
Therefore, the skilled generals will overthrow their kingdom without any operations. They will not harm individuals but destroy the government. The typical instance is the Wu Wang, who put an end of the Yin dynasty.

倍则分之
This means divide our armies, not enemy’s.

故小敌之坚, 大敌之擒也。
Though a small troop can wage a wall, it will be captured by a large troop probably.

不知三军之事, 而同三军之政者, 则军士惑矣;
Opportunism and flexibility are different than the strategy of governing a state. Morality and li is only fitful for governing a state.

将能而君不御者胜
So many military disasters were caused by undue interference from distant government.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *