Configurations Of Terrain

Sun Tzu said:

“The major configurations of terrain are accessible, entrapping, stalemated, narrow, steep, and expansive.

“If we can go forth, and the enemy can also advance, it is termed accessible. In an accessible configuration, first occupy the heights and sunny side, and improve the routes for transporting provisions. Then when we engage in battle, it will be advantageous.”

“If we can go forth but it will be difficult to return, it is termed entrapping. In an entrapping configuration, if they are unprepared go forth and defeat them. If the enemy is prepared and we advance forth without being victorious, it will be difficult to turn back and is disadvantageous.”

“If it is not advantageous for us to go forth nor advantageous for the enemy to come forward, it is termed stalemate. In a stalemated configuration, even though the enemy tries to entice us with offers of profit, do not go forth. Withdraw our force. If we strike them when half the enemy has advanced, it will be advantageous.”

“As for narrow configurations, we must occupy them first, we must fully deploy throughout them in order to await the enemy. If the enemy occupies them first and fully deploys in them, do not follow him. If they are not fully deployed in them, then follow them in.”

“As for steep configurations, if we occupy them we must hold the heights and sunny sides to await the enemy. If the enemy occupies them first, withdraw our forces and depart. Do not follow them.”

“As for expansive configurations, if our forces are equal, it will be difficult to provoke them to battle. Engaging in battle will not be advantageous.”

“Now these six are the Tao of terrain. Any general who undertakes responsibility for command must investigate them.”

“In warfare there are six types of ill-fated armies flight, insubordination, deterioration, collapsing, chaos, and setback. Now these six are not disasters bought about by Heaven and Earth but by the general’s errors.”

• “If, when their strategic power is equal, one attacks ten, this is called flight.”
  
• “If the troops are strong but the officers are weak, it is termed insubordination.”
  
• “If the officers are strong but the troops weak, it is termed deterioration.”
  
• “If the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, engaging the enemy themselves out of unrestrained anger while the general does not yet know their abilities, it is termed collapse.”
  
• “If the general is weak and not disciplined, unclear in his instructions and leadership; the officers and troops lack discipline; and their deployment of troops into formation is in disarray, it is termed chaos.”
  
• “If the general, unable to calculate the enemy, engages a large number with a small number, attacks the strong with the weak while the army lacks a properly selected vanguard, it is termed setback.”

“Now these six are the Tao of defeat. Any general who undertakes responsibility for command must investigate them.”

• “Configuration of terrain is an aid to the army. Calculating the enemy, creating the conditions leading to victory, calculating the dangers, estimating distances, is the Tao of the superior general. Those who know these and employ them in combat will certainly be victorious. One who does not know these or employ them in combat will certainly be defeated.”

• “If the Tao of Warfare indicated certain victory, even though the ruler has instructed that battle should be avoided, the general may engage in battle, it is permissible. If the Tao of Warfare indicates you will not be victorious, even though the ruler instructs you to engage in battle, not fighting is permissible.”

• “Therefore a general who does not advance to seek glory or fame, or does not withdraw to avoid punishment, but cares only to preserve the people and promotes the peoples interest for the ruler is the nation’s treasure.”

• “When the general regards his troops as young children, they will advance into the deepest valleys with him. When the general regards the troops as his own beloved children, they will be willing to die with him.”

• “If the troops are well treated but cannot be employed, or they are loved but cannot be commanded, or when in chaos they cannot be disciplined, they may be compared to spoiled children and are useless.”

• “If I know our troops can attack, but do not know the enemy cannot be attacked, this is only halfway to victory. If I know the enemy can be attacked, but do not realize our troops cannot attack, this is only halfway to victory.”

“If I know that the enemy can be attacked, and knowing that our army can affect the attack, but not knowing the terrain is not suitable for battle, this is only halfway to victory. Therefore one who truly knows the army will never be deluded when he moves, never be impoverished when initiating an action.”

“Therefore I say, if you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not be jeopardy. If you know Heaven and know Earth, your victory can be complete.”