MANEUVERING (MANEUVRE)

From Griffith's translation:

"Lit. 'struggle' or 'contest' of the armies' as each strives to gain an advantageous position."

Disciplined Organization

"Without harmony in the state, no military expedition can be undertaken; without harmony in the army, no battle array can be formed."

"In war, the general receives his commands from the sovereign. Having collected an army and concentrated his forces, he must blend and harmonize the different elements thereof before pitching his camp"

Opportunistic Flexibility In Adapting Strategies And Tactics To Situation

"After that comes tactical maneuvering, and there is nothing more difficult. The difficulty consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain."

Inherent Advantages And Disadvantages

"Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous."

From Griffith's translation:

"...This too literal translation completely misses the point. Ts'ao Ts'ao's interpretation is surely more satisfactory. The verse is a generalization which introduces what follows. A course of action which may appear advantageous usually contains within itself the seeds of disadvantage. The converse is also true."

Timing

"If you set a fully equipped army to march in order to snatch an advantage, the chances are that you will be too late."

Proper Support

"On the other hand, to detach a flying column for the purpose (to snatch an advantage) involves the sacrifice of its baggage and stores."

"An army without its baggage train is lost; without provisions it is lost; without bases of supply it is lost."

Relationship Management

"We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors."

Develop Knowledge Through Study

"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."

Deception And "Shaping"

"In war, practice dissimulation and you will succeed."

"Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night"

"He will conquer who has learned the artifice of deviation."

Strategic Planning

"Ponder and deliberate before you make a move."

Timely Implementation

"Move only if there is a real advantage to be gained."

"...when you move, fall like a thunderbolt."

Opportunistic Flexibility In Adapting Strategies And Tactics To Situation

"Whether to concentrate or to divide your troops must be decided by circumstances."

Reward, Replenish, Invest

"When you plunder a countryside, let the spoil be divided among your men; when you capture new territory, cut it up into allotments for the benefit of the soldiery."

Organizational Management

"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. Gongs and drums, banners and flags, are means whereby the ears and eyes of the host may be focused on one particular point. The host thus forming a single united body, it is impossible either for the brave to advance alone, or for the cowardly to retreat alone."

Planning, Patience, Timing

"Now a soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is bent only on returning to camp. 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."

"Disciplined and calm, he awaits the appearance of disorder and hubbub among the enemy. This is the art of retaining self-possession."

"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's strength."

"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."

"It is a military axiom not to advance uphill against the enemy, nor to oppose him when he comes downhill."

Avoidance Of Being Deceived And "Shaped"

"Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight; do not attack soldiers whose tempers are keen. Do not swallow a bait offered by the enemy."

Go to Chapter 8.

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