IV. TACTICAL DISPOSITIONS

by Sun Tzu

　　1. Sun Tzu said: The good fighters of old first putthemselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and thenwaited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. 2. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in ourown hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemyis provided by the enemy himself.3. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat,but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy. 4. Hence the saying: One may know how to conquerwithout being able to do it. 5. Security against defeat implies defensive tactics;ability to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive. 6. Standing on the defensive indicates insufficientstrength; attacking, a superabundance of strength. 7. The general who is skilled in defense hides in themost secret recesses of the earth; he who is skilled inattack flashes forth from the topmost heights of heaven.Thus on the one hand we have ability to protect ourselves;on the other, a victory that is complete. 8. To see victory only when it is within the kenof the common herd is not the acme of excellence. 9. Neither is it the acme of excellence if you fightand conquer and the whole Empire says, "Well done!" 10. To lift an autumn hair is no sign of great strength;to see the sun and moon is no sign of sharp sight;to hear the noise of thunder is no sign of a quick ear. 11. What the ancients called a clever fighter isone who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease. 12. Hence his victories bring him neither reputationfor wisdom nor credit for courage. 13. He wins his battles by making no mistakes.Making no mistakes is what establishes the certaintyof victory, for it means conquering an enemy that isalready defeated. 14. Hence the skillful fighter puts himself intoa position which makes defeat impossible, and doesnot miss the moment for defeating the enemy. 15. Thus it is that in war the victorious strategistonly seeks battle after the victory has been won,whereas he who is destined to defeat first fightsand afterwards looks for victory. 16. The consummate leader cultivates the moral law,and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it isin his power to control success. 17. In respect of military method, we have,firstly, Measurement; secondly, Estimation of quantity;thirdly, Calculation; fourthly, Balancing of chances;fifthly, Victory. 18. Measurement owes its existence to Earth;Estimation of quantity to Measurement; Calculation toEstimation of quantity; Balancing of chances to Calculation;and Victory to Balancing of chances. 19. A victorious army opposed to a routed one, is asa pound's weight placed in the scale against a single grain. 20. The onrush of a conquering force is like the burstingof pent-up waters into a chasm a thousand fathoms deep.