Nine Changes

Sun Tzu said:

“In general, the strategy for employing the military is this: The general has received his commands from the ruler, united the armies, and assembled the masses:

“Do not encamp on difficult terrain.”

“Unite with your allies on intersecting terrain.”

“Do not remain on open terrain.”

“Make strategic plans for surrounded terrain.”

“On deadly terrain you must do battle.”

“There are roads that are not to be followed.”

“There are armies that are not to be attacked.”

“There are cities that are not to be assaulted.”

“There is terrain for which one does not penetrate.”

“There are commands from the ruler that are not obeyed.”

“Therefore the general who has understanding of the advantages of the nine changes knows how to deploy the troops. If a general does not have an understanding of the advantages of the nine changes, even though his is familiar with the nature and shape of the terrain, he will not be able to realize the advantages of the terrain.”

“One who commands an army but does not know the principles for the nine changes, even though he is familiar with the five advantages, will not be able to control his troops.”

“Therefore the wise must contemplate the advantages and disadvantages. If they contemplate advantage in difficult situations, they will fulfill their calculations. If they contemplate harm in disadvantage, difficulties can be removed.”

“Therefore, subjugate the leaders of our enemies with potential harm; labor the leaders of our enemies with constant affairs; and have the leaders of our enemies race after advantages.”

“Therefore the strategy for employing the military is this: Do not rely on the enemy coming, but depend on our readiness against them. Do not rely on their not attacking, but depend on us having an unassailable position.”

“Therefore there are five dangerous character traits of a general:”

• “One who is reckless can be slain.”
• “One committed to living can be captured.”
• “One who is quick tempered can be insulted.”
• “One obsessed with morality can be shamed.”
• “One who loves the people can be worried.”

“These five dangerous traits are faults in a general, and disastrous in warfare. The army’s destruction and the general’s death will invariably stem from these five, so they must be investigated.”