VARIATION OF TACTICS (THE NINE VARIABLES)

More tactical commentary.

Catastrophic Loss Avoidance

"There are roads that must not be followed, towns that must not be besieged."

"There are armies that must not be attacked, positions that must not be contested, commands of the sovereign that must not be obeyed."

Opportunistic Flexibility In Adapting Strategies And Tactics To Situation

"The general who thoroughly understands the advantages that accompany variation of tactics knows how to handle his troops. 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."

Inherent Advantages And Disadvantages

"In the wise leader's plans, considerations of advantage and of disadvantage will be blended together. If our expectation of advantage be tempered in this way, we may succeed in accomplishing the essential part of our schemes. If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune."

Rely On Own Preparation

"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."

Competent Management

"There are five dangerous faults that may affect a general, of which the first two are: recklessness, which leads to destruction; and cowardice, which leads to capture.

Next there is delicacy of honor, which is sensitive to shame; and a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults.

The last of such faults is oversolicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble, for in the long run the troops will suffer more from the defeat, or at best, the prolongation of the war, which will be the consequence."

Go to Chapter 9.

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