PART TWO OF SUN TZU BY KENNETH SCOT STREMSKY I may add text to this page dealing with The Art of War by Sun Tzu translated by General Samuel B. Griffith. The following excerpt is from page 103 of The Art of War by Sun Tzu. "2. Nothing is more difficult than the art of manoeuvre. What is difficult about manoeuvre is to make the devious route the most direct and to turn misfortune to advantage. 3. Thus, march by an indirect route and divert the enemy by enticing him with a bait. So doing, you may set out after he does and arrive before him. One able to do this understands the strategy of the direct and the indirect. Ts'ao Ts'ao:... Make it appear that you are far off. You may start after the enemy and arrive before him because you know how to estimate and calculate distances. Tu Mu: He who wishes to snatch an advantage takes a devious and distant route and makes of it the short way. He turns misfortune to his advantage. He deceives and fools the enemy to make him dilatory and lax, and then marches on speedily." The following excerpt is from page 106 of The Art of War by Sun Tzu. "12. Now war is based on deception. Move when it is advatageous and create changes in the situation by dispersal and concentration of forces. 13. When campaigning, be swift as the wind; in leisurely march, majestic as the forest; in raiding and plundering, like fire; in standing, firm as the mountains. As unfathomable as the clouds, move like a thunderbolt. 14. When you plunder the countryside, divide your forces. When you conquer territory, divide the profits. 15. Weigh the situation, then move. 16. He who knows the art of the direct and the indirect approach will be victorious. Such is the art of manoeuvring." The following excerpt is from page 108 of The Art of War by Sun Tzu. "20. Now an army may be robbed of its spirit and its commander deprived of his courage. Ho Yen-hsi: ... Wu Ch'i said: 'The responsibility for a martial host of a million lies in one man. He is the trigger of its spirit.' Mei Yao-ch'en: If an army has been deprived of its morale, its general will also lose his heart. Chang Yu: Heart is that by which the general masters. Now order and confusion, bravery and cowardice, are qualities dominated by the heart. Therefore the expert at controlling his enemy frustrates him and then moves against him. He aggravates him to confuse him and harasses him to make him fearful. Thus he robs his enemy of his heart and of his ability to plan." The following excerpt comes from pages 114 and 115 of The Art of War by Sun Tzu. "16. It is a doctrine of war not to assume the enemy will not come, but rather to rely on one's readiness to meet him; not to presume that he will not attack, but rather to make one's self invincible. Ho Yen-hsi: ... The 'Strategies of Wu' says: 'When the world is at peace, a gentlemen keeps his sword by his side.' 17. There are five qualities which are dangerous in the character of a general. 18. If reckless, he can be killed. Tu Mu: A general who is stupid and courageous is a calamity. Wu Ch'i said: 'When people discuss a general they always pay attention to his courage. As far as a general is concerned, courage is but one quality. Now a valiant general will be certain to enter an engagement recklessly and if he does so he will not appreciate what is advantageous.' 19. If cowardly, captured; Ho Yen-hsi: The Ssu-ma Fa says: 'One who esteems life above all will be overcome with hesitancy. Hesitancy in a general is a great calamity.' 20. If quick-tempered you can make a fool of him; Tu Yu: An impulsive man can be provoked to rage and brought to his death. One easily angered is irascible, obstinate and hasty. He does not consider difficulties. Wang Hsi: What is essential in the temperament of a general is steadiness. 21. If he has too delicate a sense of honour you can calumniate him; Mei Yao-ch'en: One anxious to defend his reputation pays no regard to anything else. 22. If he is of a compassionate nature you can harass him. Tu Mu: He who is humanitarian and compassionate and fears only casualties cannot give up temporary advantage for a long-term gain and is unable to let go this in order to seize that. 23. Now these five traits of character are serious faults in a general and in military operations are calamitious. 24. The ruin of the army and the death of the general are inevitable results of these shortcomings. They must bee deeply pondered." MY COMMENTS The previous reasons are why I believe the only parts of a Presidential candidate's life that should not be open to discussion are the candidate's health, sex life, and family. There are times when the people need to know about a candidate's sex life and family. If the person is a rapist and/or a spouse beater, the people have a right to know. If a person tortures family members and sex partners, the people need to know. If a member of a candidate's family commits significant crimes and the candidate tries to cover them up, the people have a right to know. The media should usually not discuss a candidate's sex life and a candidate's family because the media discourages people from running for elective office when the media does this. Public character is more important than private character. How a person deals with criticism is very important. How a person deals with being made fun of is important. How a person deals with scandal is important. How a person deals with fear is important. How a person deals with betrayal is important. How a person deals with loss is important. How a person discusses himself/herself is important. Is the person candid? Is the person afraid of disclosing weaknesses? Does the person try to hide facts the people have a right to know? Why does the person do what the person does? Do you think the person has a well-thought out strategy that adapts to different situations? The following excerpt is from pages 122 and 123 of The Art of War by Sun Tzu. "47. If troops are punished before their loyalty is secured they will be disobedient. If not obedient, it is difficult to employ them. If troops are loyal, but punishments are not enforced, you cannot employ them. 48. Thus, command them with civility and imbue them uniformly with martial ardour and it may be said that victory is certain. 49. If orders which are consistently effective are used in instructing the troops, they will be obedient. If orders which are not consistently effective are used in instructing them, they will be disobedient. 50. When orders are consistently trustworthy and observed, the relationship of a commander with his troops is satisfactory." The following excerpt is from pages 126 and 127 of The Art of War by Sun Tzu. "14. When the general is morally weak and his discipline not strict, when his instructions and guidance are not enlightened, when there are no consistent rules to guide the officers and men and when the formations are slovenly the army is in disorder. Chang Yu: ...Chaos self-induced." The following excerpt is from pages 128 and 129. "18. If the situation is one of victory but the sovereign has issued orders not to engage, the general may decide to fight. If the situation is such that he cannot win, but the sovereign has issued orders to engage, he need not do so. 19. And therefore the general who in advancing does not seek personal fame, and in withdrawing is not concerned with avoiding punishment, but whose only purpose is to protect the people and promote the best interests of his sovereign, is the precious jewel of the state. Li Ch'uan:... Such a general has no personal interest. Tu Mu:... Few such are to be had. 20. Because such a general regards his men as infants they will march with him into the deepest valleys. He treats them as his own beloved sons and they will die with him. Li Ch'uan: If he cherishes his men in this way he will gain their utmost strength. Thus, the Viscount of Ch'u needed but to speak a word and the soldiers felt as if clad in warm silken garments. Tu Mu: During the Warring States when Wu Ch'i was a general he took the same food and wore the same clothes as the lowliest of his troops. On his bed there was no mat; on the march he did not mount his horse; he himself carried his reserve rations. He shared exhaustion and bitter toil with his troops. Chang Yu:... Therefore the Military Code says: 'The general must be the first in the toils and fatigues of the army. In the heat of summer he does not spread his parasol nor in the cold of winter don thick clothing. In dangerous places he must dismount and walk. He waits until the army's wells have been dug and only then drinks; until the army's food is cooked before he eats; until the army's fortifications have been completed, to shelter him.' 21. If a general indulges his troops but is unable to employ them; if he loves them but cannot enforce his commands; if the troops are disorderly and he is unable to control them, they may be compared to spoiled children, and are useless. Chang Yu:... If one uses kindness exclusively the troops become like arrogant children and cannot be employed. This is the reason Ts'ao Ts'ao cut off his own hair and so punished himself.... Good commanders are both loved and feared. That is all there is to it. 22. If I know that my troops are capable of striking the enemy, but do not know that he is invulnerable to attack, my chance of victory is but half. 23. If I know that the enemy is vulnerable to attack, but do not know that my troops are incapable of striking, my chance of victory is but half. 24. If I know the enemy can be attacked and that my troops are capable of attacking him, but do not realize that because of the conformation of the ground I should not attack, my chance of victory is but half. 25. Therefore when those experienced in war move they make no mistakes; when they attack, their resources are limitless. 26. And therefore I say: 'Know the enemy, know yourself; your victory will never be endangered. Know the ground, know the weather; your victory will be total." The following excerpt is from pages 133 and 134 of The Art of War by Sun Tzu. "25. Anciently, those described as skilled in war made it impossible for the enemy to unite his van and his rear; for his elements both large and small to mutually co-operate; for the good troops to succour the poor and for superiors and subordinates to support each other. 26. When the enemy's forces were dispensed they prevented him from assembling them; when concentrated, they threw him into confusion. Meng: Lay on many deceptive operations. Be seen in the west and march out of the east; lure him in the north and strike in the south. Drive him crazy and bewilder him so that he disperses his forces in confusion. Chag Yu: 'Take him unaware by surprise attacks where he is unprepared. Hit him suddenly with shock troops. 27. They concentrated and moved when it was advantageous to do so; when not advantageous, they halted. 28. Should one ask: 'How do I cope with a well-ordered enemy host about to attack me?' I reply: 'Seize something he cherishes and he will conform to your desires.' 29. Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions. Tu Mu: This summarizes the essential nature of war ... and the ultimate in generalship. Chang Yu: Here Sun Tzu again explains ... that the one thing esteemed is divine swiftness." The following excerpt is from pages 136 and 137 of The Art of War by Sun Tzu. "42. It is the business of a general to be serene and inscrutable, impartial and self-controlled. Wang Hsi: If serene he is not vexed; if inscrutable, unfathomable; if upright, not improper; if self-controlled, not confused. 43. He should be capable of keeping his officers and men in ignorance of his plans. Ts'ao Ts'ao: ... His troops may join him in rejoicing at the accomplishment, but they cannot join him in laying the plans. 44. He prohibits superstitious practices and so rids the army of doubts. Then until the moment of death there can be no troubles. Ts'ao Ts'ao: Prohibit talk of omens and of supernatural portents. Rid plans of doubts and uncertainties. Chang Yu: The Ssu-ma Fa says: 'Exterminate superstitions.' 45. He changes his methods and alters his plans so that people have no knowledge of what he is doing. Chang Yu: Courses of action previously followed and old plans previously executed must be altered." The following excerpt is from page 139 of The Art of War. "54. Bestow rewards without respect to customary practice; publish orders without respect to precedent. Thus you may employ the entire army as you would one man. Chang Yu: ... If the code respecting rewards and punishments is clear and speedily applied then you may use the many as you do the few." The following excerpt is from page 140 of The Art of War. "59. When the enemy presents an opportunity, speedily take advantage of it. Anticipate him in seizing something he values and move in accordance with a date secretly fixed. 60. The doctrine of war is to follow the enemy situation in order to decide on battle. 61. Therefore at first be shy as a maiden. When the enemy gives you an opening be swift as a hare and he will be unable to withstand you." MY COMMENTS Be careful of traps. Always realize opponents may have well laid traps. Be careful that your own troops are not harmed by your own traps. Explain much some of the time. Explain little at other times. Change your plans on a regular basis. Move from one strategy to another with ease. Attack the same problem on different days in different ways. Always say you may revisit previously discussed topics. Know thyself and know your opponents. Be willing to help your opponents when it is advantageous for you. Be willing to help your opponents when it does not benefit you. Make friends and opponents realize how beneficial you are to them. The following excerpt is from pages 144 and 145 of The Art of War. "2. One who confronts his enemy for many years in order to struggle for victory in a decisive battle yet who, because he begrudges rank, honours and a few hundred pieces of gold, remains ignorant of his enemy's situation, is completely devoid of humanity. Such a man is no general; no support to his sovereign; no master of victory. 3. Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge. Ho Yen-his: The section in the Rites of Chou entitled 'Military Officers' names 'The Director of National Espionage'. This officer probably directed secret operations in other countries. 4. What is called 'foreknowledge' cannot be elicited from spirits, nor from gods, nor by analogy with past events, nor from calculations. It must be obtained from men who know the enemy situation." The following excerpt is from page 149 of The Art of War by Sun Tzu. "23. And therefore only the enlightened sovereign and the worthy general who are able to use the most intelligent people as agents are certain to achieve great things. Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move. Chia Lin: An army without secret agents is exactly like a man without eyes and ears." MY COMMENTS Our country has not placed enough importance on human spies. Our country often places more importance on high technology spying than human spying. Our country has often done badly in battle because of this. The Iranian Hostage Crisis might not have happened if our country had placed more importance on spies in the 1970s. If our country does not value human spying more in the future and make sure the people who need the information get the information, our country may not survive. Our country needs to learn better how to process information and distribute the information to the people who need the information.