Initial Calculations

Sun Tzu said:

“Warfare is the greatest affair of state, the basis of life and death; it is Tao (the Way) of survival or destruction. It must be thoroughly examined and analyzed.”

“Therefore, structure it according to the five factors, evaluate it comparatively through calculations, and determine its true nature. The first is the Tao, the second is Heaven, the third is Earth, the fourth is generals, and the fifth is the laws for military organization and command.”

“The Tao causes the people to be in full unison with the ruler. By this they will die with him; they will live with him and not fear danger or betrayal.”

“Heaven encompasses dark and light, cold and heat, and the constraints of the seasons.”

“Earth encompasses the height of the mountains and the depths of the valley, the far and the near, the obstructed and the easy, breadth or confined, treacherous or safe terrain.”

“The general encompasses wisdom, credibility, benevolence, courage, and discipline.”

“The laws for military organization and command encompass organization and regulations, the Tao of command, and the management of logistics and of expenses.”

“From these five you will recognize victory and defeat!”

“Thus when making a comparative evaluation through calculations, and determine its true nature,

Ask:

Which ruler has the Tao?

Which general has greater ability?

Who has gained the advantage of Heaven and Earth?

Whose laws and commands are more thoroughly implemented?

Whose forces are stronger?

Whose officers and troops are better trained?

Whose rewards and punishments are clearer?

“If a general follows my methods for calculation and you employ him, he will certainly be victorious and should be retained. If a general does not follow my methods for calculation and you employ him, he will certainly be defeated, so dismiss him.”

“After calculating the advantages in conformity with what you have heard, put it into force the strategic power supplemented by field tactics that respond to unpredictable factors. And the force is controlling the balance of power in accordance with the advantages.”

“Warfare is the Tao of deception. Therefore if you are capable, display incapability to them. When intending to be active, feign inactivity. When your objective is nearby, make it appear as if far away; when far away, create the deception of being nearby.”

“If they have advantage, entice them. Create confusion in their forces and take them.”

“If they are substantial, prepare for them; if they are strong, avoid them.”

“If they are angry, agitate them; if they know humility, entice them to foster their arrogance.”

“If they are rested, force them to put forth their energies.”

“If they are united, cause them to be separated.”

“Attack where they are not prepared and go to where they will not expect.”

“These are the ways warfare leads on to victory. They cannot be spoken or transmitted of beforehand.”

“Before the battle, one who resolves in the ancestral temple that he will be victorious has found that the majority of calculations are in his favor.

“Before the engagement one who resolves in the ancestral temple that he will not be victorious has found few calculations in his favor.”

“If one who finds that the majority of calculations favor him he will be victorious while one who found few calculations favor him will be defeated, what about someone who finds no calculations in his favor?”

“By means of this perspective, I can observe them, and behold that victory and defeat will be apparent.”