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exclaim： 〃Weapons are baleful instruments； strife is
antagonistic to virtue； a military commander is the negation of
civil order！〃 The unpalatable fact remains； however； that even
Imperial wishes must be subordinated to military necessity。＇
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。
＇Literally； 〃get the advantage of the ground；〃 which means
not only securing good positions； but availing oneself of natural
advantages in every possible way。 Chang Yu says： 〃Every kind of
ground is characterized by certain natural features； and also
gives scope for a certain variability of plan。 How it is
possible to turn these natural features to account unless
topographical knowledge is supplemented by versatility of mind？〃＇
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。
＇Chia Lin tells us that these imply five obvious and
generally advantageous lines of action； namely： 〃if a certain
road is short； it must be followed； if an army is isolated； it
must be attacked； if a town is in a parlous condition； it must be
besieged； if a position can be stormed； it must be attempted； and
if consistent with military operations； the ruler's commands must
be obeyed。〃 But there are circumstances which sometimes forbid a
general to use these advantages。 For instance； 〃a certain road
may be the shortest way for him； but if he knows that it abounds
in natural obstacles； or that the enemy has laid an ambush on it；
he will not follow that road。 A hostile force may be open to
attack； but if he knows that it is hard…pressed and likely to
fight with desperation； he will refrain from striking；〃 and so
on。＇
7。 Hence in the wise leader's plans； considerations of
advantage and of disadvantage will be blended together。
＇〃Whether in an advantageous position or a disadvantageous
one；〃 says Ts‘ao Kung； 〃the opposite state should be always
present to your mind。〃＇
8。 If our expectation of advantage be tempered in this way；
we may succeed in accomplishing the essential part of our
schemes。
＇Tu Mu says： 〃If we wish to wrest an advantage from the
enemy； we must not fix our minds on that alone； but allow for the
possibility of the enemy also doing some harm to us； and let this
enter as a factor into our calculations。〃＇
9。 If； on the other hand； in the midst of difficulties we
are always ready to seize an advantage； we may extricate
ourselves from misfortune。
＇Tu Mu says： 〃If I wish to extricate myself from a
dangerous position； I must consider not only the enemy's ability
to injure me； but also my own ability to gain an advantage over
the enemy。 If in my counsels these two considerations are
properly blended； I shall succeed in liberating myself。。。。 For
instance； if I am surrounded by the enemy and only think of
effecting an escape； the nervelessness of my policy will incite
my adversary to pursue and crush me； it would be far better to
encourage my men to deliver a bold counter…attack； and use the
advantage thus gained to free myself from the enemy's toils。〃
See the story of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao； VII。 ss。 35； note。＇
10。 Reduce the hostile chiefs by inflicting damage on them；
＇Chia Lin enumerates several ways of inflicting this injury；
some of which would only occur to the Oriental mind：〃Entice
away the enemy's best and wisest men； so that he may be left
without counselors。 Introduce traitors into his country； that
the government policy may be rendered futile。 Foment intrigue
and deceit； and thus sow dissension between the ruler and his
ministers。 By means of every artful contrivance； cause
deterioration amongst his men and waste of his treasure。 Corrupt
his morals by insidious gifts leading him into excess。 Disturb
and unsettle his mind by presenting him with lovely women。〃
Chang Yu （after Wang Hsi） makes a different interpretation of Sun
Tzu here： 〃Get the enemy into a position where he must suffer
injury； and he will submit of his own accord。〃＇
and make trouble for them；
＇Tu Mu； in this phrase； in his interpretation indicates that
trouble should be make for the enemy affecting their
〃possessions；〃 or； as we might say； 〃assets；〃 which he considers
to be 〃a large army； a rich exchequer； harmony amongst the
soldiers； punctual fulfillment of commands。〃 These give us a
whip…hand over the enemy。＇
and keep them constantly engaged；
＇Literally； 〃make servants of them。〃 Tu Yu says 〃prevent
the from having any rest。〃＇
hold out specious allurements； and make them rush to any given
point。
＇Meng Shih's note contains an excellent example of the
idiomatic use of： 〃cause them to forget PIEN （the reasons for
acting otherwise than on their first impulse）； and hasten in our
direction。〃＇
11。 The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood
of the enemy's not coming； but on our own readiness to receive
him； 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 faults which may affect a
general： （1） Recklessness； which leads to destruction；
＇〃Bravery without forethought；〃 as Ts‘ao Kung analyzes it；
which causes a man to fight blindly and desperately like a mad
bull。 Such an opponent； says Chang Yu； 〃must not be encountered
with brute force； but may be lured into an ambush and slain。〃
Cf。 Wu Tzu； chap。 IV。 ad init。： 〃In estimating the character of
a general； men are wont to pay exclusive attention to his
courage； forgetting that courage is only one out of many
qualities which a general should possess。 The merely brave man
is prone to fight recklessly； and he who fights recklessly；
without any perception of what is expedient； must be condemned。〃
Ssu…ma Fa； too； make the incisive remark： 〃Simply going to one's
death does not bring about victory。〃＇
（2） cowardice； which leads to capture；
＇Ts‘ao Kung defines the Chinese word translated here as
〃cowardice〃 as being of the man 〃whom timidity prevents from
advancing to seize an advantage；〃 and Wang Hsi adds 〃who is quick
to flee at the sight of danger。〃 Meng Shih gives the closer
paraphrase 〃he who is bent on returning alive；〃 this is； the man
who will never take a risk。 But； as Sun Tzu knew； nothing is to
be achieved in war unless you are willing to take risks。 T‘ai
Kung said： 〃He who l