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The Annotated Art of War (Parts 7.33-37: Caution)
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Annotated Art of War > Parts 7.33-37: Caution
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VII. Maneuvering
| Sun Tzu said: |
Commentary |
|
33. It is a military axiom not to advance uphill against the enemy, nor to
oppose him when he comes downhill.
|
Being above the enemy
gives the advantage of potential energy. You can use gravity to move
things down on them, from rolling rocks to projected missiles. You
stand higher than them and can swing down on top of them.
There is also a subtle motivational psychology where height is a
very common metaphor for superiority. People who are higher feel
superior whilst people who are lower feel inferior. With this
effect, they may well be motivated and demotivated in a battle.
This can be seen in animals who prefer to stand higher. In humans
also, height is a symbol of status. There are more taller people in
senior business roles. Kings sit on daises. |
| 34. Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight; do not attack soldiers whose
temper is keen. |
When the enemy runs
away unexpectedly or shows a weaker force than expected, beware of
chasing them as they run as they may well be leading you into an
ambush. Soldiers whose tempers are aroused go into a 'berserker'
mode and lose all fear. While they may make mistakes in this
unthinking mode, they will be faster and stronger than usual. |
| 35. Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army
that is returning home. |
Deceit is a common in strategy and
tactics. Watch for things that seem easy, for they may easily be a
dangled bait, designed to catch the unwary with a hidden hook that
will snag and prevent escape. Also, if an army is in final retreat
back to its homeland, then pursuing it may result in more loss than
gain. If you can win the war by ceasing hostilities now, why waste
lives further? It is a basic principle of maneuvering to win without
fighting.
There may be good reason for pursuing a retreating army, for
example if they are retreating only to regroup or re-arm.
Deception is also common in business and a easily provoked
competitor is one who may be easily defeated. |
| 36. When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate
foe too hard. |
When a foe is
cornered, they must fight for their lives and will do so with the
energy of final fear. If you force them to go down in a blaze of
glory they will do so, taking more of your troops than you might
otherwise expend.
Also, slaughtering an army will gain you the enmity of their
family and country, who will arise at a later time to take revenge.
It is often better to allow a graceful retreat in the direction of
your choosing. This is offering the enemy a 'golden bridge'.
Once you have shown your superiority, you will be able to
negotiate an advantageous peace. |
| 37. Such is the art of warfare. |
Such indeed, for
despite the rules and science discussed, there is much art and
cunning that may be found between the admonishments of Sun Tzu.
Many disciplines, from painting to swordplay, start as a science,
with the student following strict patterns and rules. With practice,
they begin to feel the subject rather than obeying it. In
this way it becomes art. That deeper connection then allows the
student to effectively develop their personal style and so become a
master. |
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