Chapter 3 — Strategic Attack

Sunzi said: In general, the method of employing troops is this: preserving an enemy state intact is best; destroying the state is second best. Preserving an enemy army intact is best; destroying the army is second best. Preserving an enemy brigade intact is best; destroying the brigade is second best. Preserving an enemy battalion intact is best; destroying the battalion is second best. Preserving an enemy squad intact is best; destroying the squad is second best. Therefore, to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles is not the highest excellence; to subdue the enemy’s army without battle is the highest excellence.

Thus, the highest form of warfare is to attack plans; the next is to attack alliances; the next is to attack armies; the lowest is to attack fortified cities. The method of attacking a city is undertaken only when unavoidable. Preparing great shields and armored assault wagons and making ready the equipment and weapons require three months; piling up earthen ramps against the walls requires another three months. If the commander cannot master his anger and sends his men swarming like ants against the walls, one-third of the officers and soldiers will be killed without the city being taken. Such is the calamity of siege warfare.

Therefore, one skilled in employing troops subdues the enemy’s army without battle, takes the enemy’s cities without assault, and destroys the enemy’s state without prolonged operations. He must contend for all under Heaven with preservation as his aim. Thus his troops are not worn down, and his gains can be kept complete. This is the method of attacking by strategy.

Thus, the method of employing troops is this: if ten times the enemy’s strength, surround him; if five times his strength, attack him; if twice his strength, divide him; if equal to him, be able to fight him; if fewer, be able to defend against him; if inferior, be able to avoid him. Therefore, the obstinacy of a small force makes it the captive of a larger force.

The commander is the state’s supporting pillar. If the support is complete, the state will surely be strong; if the support is defective, the state will surely be weak.

There are three ways in which a ruler brings trouble upon his army. Not knowing that the army must not advance, he orders it to advance; not knowing that the army must not retreat, he orders it to retreat. This is called fettering the army. Not understanding the affairs of the three armies, he shares in their administration; then the officers and soldiers become confused. Not understanding the tactical authority of the three armies, he shares in their command; then the officers and soldiers become doubtful. Once the three armies are both confused and doubtful, trouble from the feudal lords will arrive. This is called throwing the army into disorder and leading victory away.

Thus there are five ways to know victory. He who knows when one can fight and when one cannot will be victorious. He who understands how to employ many and few will be victorious. He whose superiors and subordinates share the same desire will be victorious. He who is prepared and awaits the unprepared will be victorious. He whose commander is capable and is not constrained by his ruler will be victorious. These five are the Way to know victory.

Therefore it is said: Know the enemy and know yourself, and in a hundred battles you will never be imperiled. Know yourself but not the enemy, and for every victory you will suffer a defeat. Know neither the enemy nor yourself, and in every battle you will surely be imperiled.

Sunzi said: As a general rule for employing an army, preserving an enemy state intact is best; destroying it is second best. Preserving an enemy army intact is best; destroying it is second best. Preserving an enemy brigade intact is best; destroying it is second best. Preserving an enemy battalion intact is best; destroying it is second best. Preserving an enemy squad intact is best; destroying it is second best. Therefore, winning a hundred victories in a hundred battles is not the best of the best. Subduing the enemy’s army without battle is the best of the best.

Therefore, the highest form of warfare is to attack the enemy’s plans; next is to attack his alliances; next is to attack his army; and the lowest is to attack his cities. The method of attacking cities should be used only when unavoidable. Preparing large shields and siege wagons and assembling equipment and weapons takes three months to complete; building earthworks against the walls takes another three months. If the commander cannot control his anger and sends his men swarming up the walls like ants, a third of the officers and soldiers may be killed without the city being taken. This is the disaster of attacking cities.

Therefore, one skilled in employing an army subdues the enemy’s army without battle, takes the enemy’s cities without assault, and destroys the enemy’s state without prolonged operations. He must contend for all under Heaven while preserving it intact. Thus, his army is not worn down, and his gains can be kept complete. This is the method of attacking by strategy.

Therefore, the method of employing an army is this: if ten times the enemy’s strength, surround him; if five times his strength, attack him; if twice his strength, divide him; if equal in strength, be able to fight him; if fewer, be able to defend against him; if greatly inferior, be able to avoid him. Therefore, a small force that stubbornly resists will be captured by a larger force.

The commander is the state’s supporting pillar. If the support is complete, the state will certainly be strong; if there are gaps in the support, the state will certainly be weak.

There are three ways a ruler brings trouble upon his army. Not knowing that the army cannot advance, he orders it to advance; not knowing that the army cannot retreat, he orders it to retreat. This is called tying up the army. Not understanding the affairs of the armed forces, he interferes in their administration, and the officers and soldiers become confused. Not understanding the flexible exercise of military authority, he interferes in military appointments, and the officers and soldiers become doubtful. Once the armed forces are confused and doubtful, trouble from the other lords will arrive. This is called throwing the army into disorder and giving victory away.

Therefore, there are five ways to know victory. One who knows when battle is possible and when it is not will win. One who understands how to use both large and small forces will win. One whose superiors and subordinates share the same purpose will win. One who is prepared and waits for an unprepared enemy will win. One whose commander is capable and is not constrained by the ruler will win. These five are the way to know victory.

Therefore it is said: Know the enemy and know yourself, and you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles. If you do not know the enemy but know yourself, you will win one and lose one. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every battle.