Strategy 10
8) All captives must be cared for with magnanimity
and sincerity so they may be used by us.
9) This is called winning a battle and becoming
stronger.
10) Hence, what is essential in war is victory, not
prolonged operations.
11) What is of supreme importance in war is to
attack the enemy's strategy.
12) Attack the enemy's plans at there inception.
13) He who excels at conquering his enemy's
triumphs before threats materialize; resolving
difficulties before they arise.
14) Thus, the supreme excellence in war is to
attack the enemy's plans.
15) Second to this, is to disrupt the enemy's
alliances; causing them to be severed and
dissolved.
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Strategy 11
16) If an enemy has alliances, the problem is grave
and the enemy's position strong; if he has no
alliances the problem is minor and the enemy's
position weak.
17) If you cannot nip his plans in the bud, or disrupt
his alliances, then sharpen your weapons and
attack his army to gain the victory.
18) The worst policy is to attack cities. Attack cities
only when there is no alternative.
19) Thus, those skilled in war subdue the enemy's
army without battle. They capture his cities
without protracted operations.
20) Your aim must be to take 'All under Heaven'
intact. This is the art of offensive strategy.
21) When ten to the enemy's one, surround him;
when five times his strength, attack him;
alarming him to the front, surprise him to the
rear. Create a diversion in the east and strike
in the west.
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Strategy 12
22) If the enemy is strong and I am weak,
temporarily withdraw and do not engage.
23) If the enemy is in disarray and careless and
I am in good order and energetic then, even if
the enemy is numerically stronger, I can give
battle.
24) If in all respects you are unequal to the enemy,
be capable of eluding him.
25) Now there are five circumstances in which
victory may be predicted:
26) He who knows when to fight and when not to
fight will be victorious.
27) He who knows how to use both large and small
forces will be victorious.
28) He whose ranks are united in purpose will be
victorious.
29) He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy
that is to come, will be victorious.
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Strategy 13
30) He who is prepared beforehand for any
contingency through the use of expediency
and flexibility will be victorious.
31) Know the enemy and know yourself; in a
hundred battles, you will never be in peril.
32) When you are ignorant of the enemy but know
yourself, your chances of winning or losing are
equal.
33) If ignorant of both your enemy and your self, you
are certain to be in mortal peril.
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