Military Formation

Sun Tzu said:

“In ancient times those skilled in warfare first made themselves invincible in order to await the moment when the enemy could be conquered.

“Those who are skilled understand that being invincible lies with yourself; but cannot necessarily cause the enemy to be vulnerable.”

“Therefore one who excels in warfare is able to make himself invincible, but cannot necessarily cause the enemy to be conquerable.”

“Therefore it is said a strategy for conquering the enemy can be known but perhaps not possible to implement.”

“One who cannot be victorious assumes a defensive posture; one who can be victorious attacks. In these circumstances by assuming a defensive posture, strength will be more than sufficient, whereas in offensive actions it would be deficient.”

“Those who excel at defense bury themselves away below the lowest depths of Earth. Those who excel at offense move from above the greatest heights of Heaven. Therefore they are able to protect themselves and attain complete victory.”

“Perceiving a victory when it is perceived by the masses is not the pinnacle of excellence. Attaining victories for which all under Heaven proclaim your excellence is not the pinnacle of excellence.”

“Therefore lifting an autumn hare cannot be considered great strength; seeing the sun and moon cannot be considered sharp vision; hearing the sound of thunder cannot be considered having sensitive ears.”

“In ancient times those referred to as excelling at warfare conquered those who were easy to conquer. Therefore the victories of those skilled in warfare were not marked by great wisdom or courageous achievement. Therefore their victories were free from miscalculations. One who is free from miscalculations directs his measures toward certain victory, conquering those who have already been defeated.

“Thus one who excels at warfare first positions himself where he cannot be defeated while not losing opportunities to attack the enemy.”

“For this reason, the victorious army first realizes the conditions for victory, and then seeks to engage in battle. The defeated army seeks battle first, and then seeks victory. Those skilled in warfare cultivate the Tao, and preserve the law; therefore, it is they who govern victory and defeat.”

“The factors of warfare are: the first, termed measurement; the second, quantity of forces; the third, calculations; the fourth, comparison of strength; and the fifth, victory.

“Ground gives birth to measurement; measurement produces the quantity of forces. Quantities of forces give rise to calculations. Calculations give rise to comparison of strength. Comparison of strength gives birth to victory.”

“Therefore the victorious army is like a ton compared with an ounce, while the defeated army is like an ounce weighed against a ton. The victorious army is like the sudden release of pent-up waters through a deep gorge. This is the formation of force.”