veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
paq 'ay'mey tetlh
Contents
paq 'ay'mey:
paq 'ay'mey permey:
nav mI'
paq 'ay' wa':
Chapter 1:
chovlu'
Making assessments
3
paq 'ay' cha':
Chapter 2:
Qojlu'
Waging war
paq 'ay' wej:
Chapter 3:
HIvmey Dup
Offensive strategy
paq 'ay' loS:
Chapter 4:
may'morgh
Formation
paq 'ay' vagh:
Chapter 5:
paq 'ay' jav:
Chapter 6:
paq 'ay' Soch:
Chapter 7:
paq 'ay' chorgh:
Chapter 8:
paq 'ay' Hut:
Chapter 9:
paq 'ay' wa'maH:
Chapter 10:
HoSmey
Forces
pujlu' 'ej HoSlu'
Weakness and strength
QI' yol
Armed conflict
Hut DuHmey
Nine
mangghom DuvmoHlu'
Advancing the army
ghor Segh
Terrain
paq 'ay' wa'maH wa':
Chapter 11:
h
Nine varieties of ground
paq 'ay' wa'maH cha':
Chapter 12:
qul veS
Fire Warfare
paq 'ay' wa'maH wej:
Chapter 13:
lInDab
Espionage
1
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
1.
Making assessments
chovlu'
2.
Waging war
Qojlu'
3.
Offensive strategy
HIvmeH Dup
4.
Formation
may'morgh chenmoHlu'
5.
Might
Forces
HoS
HoSmey
6.
Vacuity and substance
Weakness and strength
ngaSlu' 'ej ngaSHa'lu'
chImlu'wI' 'ej Sublu'
pujlu' 'ej HoSlu'
7.
Armed conflict
QI' yol
8.
Nine transfigurations
contigencies
Changing conditions
Adapting to nine contigencies
Adapting to conditions
Adapting to change
Hut choHmey
Hut DuHmey
choHbogh wanI'mey
Hut DuHvaD lIS'eghlu'
wanI'vaD choH'eghlu'
choHvaD lIS'eghlu'
9.
Advancing the army
Military maneuvers
Army on the march
mangghom DuvmoHlu'
QI' tuHmey
tlhetlh mangghom
10.
Forms of terrain
Lay of the land
yav Seghmey/
ghor Segh/
11.
Nine varieties of ground
Nine situations
Nine types of terrain
Hut yav ghor Sarmey
Hut ghu'
yav Hut Seghmey
12.
Attacking with fire
Attack by fire
Using fire
qul HIv
HIvmeH meQlu'
qul lo'lu'
13.
Espionage
Using spies
lInDab
ghoqwI' lulo'lu'
2
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Chapter One:
Making assessments
'ay' wa':
chovlu'
Sun Tzu said:
jatlh SunchI':
War is of vital importance for the state.
wo' potlh'a' 'oH veS'e'.
It is the ground of life or death.
yInmoHbogh pagh HeghmoHbogh yav 'oH.
The route to survival or extinction.
taHmoHbogh pagh taHbe'moHbogh He 'oH.
It must be examined carefully.
nuDnISlu'chu'.
Assess it
yIchov,
With reference to five criteria
vagh De' Seghmey tIqel
And determine the status of the two sides.
'ej cha' gholpu' Dotlh yIngu'.
The first criterion is Tao,
De' wa': mIw'a',
The second: climate,
De' cha': muD,
The third: terrain,
De' wej: yav,
The fourth: commander,
De' loS: ra'wI',
The fifth: procedures.
De' vagh: mIwmey.
Tao refers to
mIw'a'e',
What makes people be of one mind with their leaders.
'oHmo' Qochbe' ghotpu', DevwI'pu'chaj je.
So they die with them
vaj DevwI'pu' tlhej ghotpu'HeghtaHvIS,
And will live with them,
DevwI'pu' tlhej yIntaHvIS,
And they will not fear danger.
'ej Qob luHajbe'.
Climate refers to
muD'e',
Light and darkness,
Daq wov, Daq Hurgh je 'oS,
Heat and cold,
Hat bIr, Hat tuj je 'oS,
And the cycle of the seasons.
DIS poHmey pat 'oS je.
Terrain refers to
yav'e',
High and low ground,
yav jen, yav 'eS je 'oS,
Distance and proximity,
chuq tIq, chuq tIqHa' je 'oS
The ease or difficulty of passage,
He ngeD, He Qatlh je 'oS,
The openness of the ground,
yav Huv, yav HuvHa' je 'oS,
Dangerous and safe locations.
Daq Qob, Daq QobHa' je 'oS.
Commander represents
ra'wI''e',
Wisdom,
Sov,
Integrity,
batlh,
Benevolence,
pung,
Courage,
toDuj,
3
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
And discipline.
Sun je 'oS.
Procedures refer to
mIwmey'e',
Military organization,
QI' pat,
The chain of command
qutluch patlh,
And the management of resources.
jo vu'taHghach je 'oS.
These five criteria are known to all commanders.
vagh De' Seghmeyvam Sov Hoch ra'wI'pu'.
Those who understand them gain victory.
bIH yajchugh vay' yay chav.
Those who do not understand them suffer defeat.
yajbe'chugh vay' luj.
When laying plans for a war
bInabtaHvIS
Determine the status of the two sides
cha' gholpu' Dotlh yIngu'
And assess the situation.
'ej ghu' yIchov.
Find out
De'vam tISuq:
Which ruler has Tao,
mIw'a' ghajbogh che'wI''e' yIngu',
Which commander has the ability,
laH ghajbogh ra'wI''e' yIngu',
Which side has the benefits of climate and terrain,
ghol'e' luQaHbogh muD yav je yIngu',
Which side has an effective method of command,
ra'meH mIw vaQ ghajbogh ghol'e' yIngu',
Which army is stronger,
HoS nIv ghajbogh mangghom'e' yIngu',
Whose officers and troops are better trained,
yaS po'qu', QaS po'qu' je ghajbogh ghol'e' yIngu',
Which side has clear punishments and rewards.
popmey nap, bIjmey nap je ghajbogh ghol'e' yIngu'.
From these I gain advance knowledge
De'vammo' leSSov vIghaj
And can predict victory or defeat.
vaj QapwI' lujwI' je vIngu'laH.
If a commander heeds my analysis
pojwIj qImchugh ra'wI'
And employs it
'ej lo'chugh
He is certain to win.
vaj Qapbej.
Keep him!
yIpol!
If a commander disregards my analysis
pojwIj qImHa'chugh ra'wI'
And does not employ it,
'ej lo'be'chugh
He will be defeated.
vaj ghaH jeylu'.
Dismiss him!
yIpolQo'!
Having considered what you have learned
De' DaSuqta'bogh DaqelDI'
Settle on the best plan,
nab nIv yIwuq,
Create situations that will let you achieve it,
DachavmeH ghu' tIqaSmoH,
Make circumstances work in your favor.
bIQapmeH wanI' tISIgh.
4
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
War is the art of deceit.
tojmeH mIw'a' 'oH veS'e'.
So when able, seem to be unable.
vaj bIruchlaHDI' yIruchlaHbe'law'.
When active, seem to be inactive.
bIvangDI' yIvangbe'law'.
When near, seem to be far away.
bISumDI' yIHoplaw'.
When far away, seem to be near.
bIHopDI' yISumlaw'.
If the enemy seeks advantage, entice him.
QapmeH 'eb nejchugh jagh, yItlhu'moH.
If the enemy is confused, assault him.
mISchugh jagh, yImup.
If the enemy is powerful, prepare for him.
HoSghajchugh jagh, yIghomrup.
If the enemy is strong, avoid him.
HoSchugh jagh, yIjun.
If the enemy is angry, annoy him.
QeHchugh jagh, yInuQ.
If the enemy is humble, make him haughty.
HemHa'chugh jagh, yInguqmoH.
If the enemy is rested, make him tired.
leSpu'chugh jagh, yIDoy'moH.
If the enemy is united, divide him.
tay'chugh jagh, yIwav.
Attack when he is not prepared.
yIHIv ghobrupbe'DI' jagh.
Appear when does not expect you.
yInargh DupIHbe'DI' jagh.
These are the strategies leading to victory.
Dupmeyvammo' Qaplu'.
They cannot be settled in advance.
vIHchoHpa' gho luwuqlu'meH DuHbe'.
ruchchoHlu'pa' luwuqlu'meH DuHbe'.
Before going to battle
bIghobchoHpa',
At the headquarters
SeHyaH nIvDaq
Calculate strategic factors in your favor.
nIQaHlaHbogh Dup wanI' tISIm.
With many such factors you win.
law'chugh wanI'vam bIQap.
With few such factors you lose.
puSchugh wanI'vam bIluj.
And even more so with no such factors at all! ALT
wanI'vam lutu'be'lu'chugh bIlujbejqu'!
Having conducted such an assessment
potlhmeyvam vIchovta'DI'
I gain advance knowledge
leSSov vIghaj
And can predict victory or defeat.
vaj QapwI' lujwI' je vIngu'laH.
5
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Chapter Two:
Waging war
'ay' cha':
Qojlu'
Sun Tzu said:
jatlh SunchI':
Waging war requires
Qojlu'meH
A thousand attack vehicles,
wa'SaD HIvDuj lupoQlu',
A thousand support vehicles,
wa'SaD ngaq Duj lupoQlu',
A hundred thousand armor-clad troops,
may'luch tuQbogh wa'bIp negh'e' poQlu',
And provisions to carry them a thousand miles.
wa'SaD qelI'qam chuq lenglaHmeH negh, Soj poQlu'.
The expenses at home and abroad,
SepDaq che'ronDaq je Huch natlhlu'meH,
The stipends for advisers and envoys,
qeSwI' 'oSwI' je luDIllu'meH,
Materials such as glue and paint,
Humbogh Hap, rItlh, latlh Doch je luje'lu'meH,
The maintenance of vehicles and armor
Duj may'luch je luleHlu'meH
Will amount to a thousand pieces of metal a day.
Hoch jaj wa'SaD baS DeQ lupoQlu'.
Such is the cost of raising a hundred thousand troops.
wa'bIp QaS muvmoHlu'meH Huchvam lunatlhlu'.
In battle the goal is victory.
ghoblu'taHvIS yay 'oH ngoQ'e'.
If victory is slow in coming
nom yay chavbe'lu'chugh
Weapons grow dull
vaj jejHa'choH nuH
And zeal flags.
'ej vaQHa'choH tIq.
If you attack a city
veng DaHIvchugh
Your strength will decline.
nupchoH HoSlIj.
If hostilities drag on
nI'qu'chugh noH
The country's resources will not suffice.
yapHa'choH wo' jo.
When your weapons have dulled,
jejHa'choHpu'DI' nuHlIj,
When your zeal has flagged,
vaQHa'choHpu'DI' QaS qa',
When your strength has declined,
nupchoHpu'DI' HoSlIj,
And your wealth has diminished,
machchoHpu'DI' mIpIIj,
Your foes will move in
vaj vangchoH jaghpu'lI'
And take advantage of your adversity.
'ej bISotmo' 'eb lujon.
Then even the wisest will not be able to avert the damage.
ngugh QIH botlaHbe' je valqu'wI'.
One hears of foolish haste in war,
moDmo' Dogh QojwI' net Qoy,
But no one has yet seen a clever delay.
'ach lummmo' val QojwI' wej net legh.
Those not fully knowing the harm the use of arms brings
QIH'e' qaSmoHbogh QI' lo' Sovchu'be'chugh vay'
Cannot know how to turn the use of arms to good account.
potlh qaSmoHbogh QI' lo''e' SovlaHbe'.
6
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
7
Those who are good at using the military
QI' lo'meH po'chugh vay'
Do not conscript soldiers more than once
wa'logh neH negh muvmoH
And do not transport provisions repeatedly.
'ej Soj HIjqa'be'.
They bring military equipment from home,
juHvo' QI' luch qem
And get provisions from the enemy.
'ej jaghvo' Soj Suq.
Thus they are able to feed the army.
vaj mangghom je'laH.
A state is impoverished by the army
Sep mIpHa'moH mangghom
If supplies are transported far away.
Daq HopDaq jo HIjlu'chugh.
Transporting supplies far away
Daq HopDaq jo HIjlu'mo'
Renders the people poor.
mIpHa'choH nuvpu'.
When the army is near
SumDI' mangghom
Things sell dearly.
waghchoH Doch lungevlu'bogh.
When things sell dearly
waghDI' Doch lungevlu'bogh
People spend all they have.
Hoch lughajbogh lunatlh nuvpu'.
When they have spent all they have
Hoch lughajbogh lunatlhpu'DI'
They find war levies harder to bear.
QI'vaD luruplu'mo' ghur bepchaj.
Thus the people's strength is depleted,
toH, nuvpu' HoS nupmoHlu',
Their wealth drained away,
mIpchaj natlhlu',
Their homes stripped bare
juHmeychaj chImmoHlu'
And seventy percent of their resources is gone.
'ej loj SochmaH vatlhvI' nuvpu' jo.
And due to broken vehicles and worn-out horses,
toH, Duy'choHbogh Dujmo' Doy'choHbogh Sarghmo' je,
Armor and helmets,
mIvmeymo' luchmeymo' je,
Crossbows and arrows,
chetvI'meymo' tlhevjaQmeymo' je,
Spears and shields,
ghIntaqmeymo' yoDmeymo' je,
Draft animals and heavy wagons,
Duj Ha'DIbaHmeymo' tep Dujmeymo' je
Sixty percent of the government resources is gone.
loj javmaH vatlhvI' qum jo.
Therefore
vaj
A wise general feeds his army off the enemy.
mangghomDaj je'meH jaghvo' Soj tlhap Sa' val.
One measure of the enemy's food
wa' tlho'ren jagh Soj lo'laH law'
Is worth twenty of your own.
cha'maH tlho'ren SojlIj lo'laH rap.
One portion of the enemy's feed
wa' cheb jagh Ha'DIbaH Soj lo'laH law'
Is worth twenty of your own.
cha'maH cheb Ha'DIbaH SojlIj lo'laH rap.
Soldiers kill the enemy because the are enraged.
jagh HoH negh QeHmoHlu'mo'.
They seize the enemy's goods because they crave rewards.
jaghvo' mIp tlhap popmey neHmo'.
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
So,
SuH,
In chariot fighting,
Duj may' ghoblu'taHvIS,
When enemy chariots have been taken,
jagh Duj lujonlu'DI'
Reward the first soldier to capture the enemy vehicle.
jonwI' wa'DIchvaD pop yInob.
Replace the enemy's flags with your own.
jagh joqwI'mey tItam; joqwI'meylIj tI'agh.
Mingle the captured vehicles with yours
DujmeylIj, Dujmey Dajonta'bogh je tItay'moH
And use them together.
'ej nI'tebHa' tIlo'.
Treat the captured soldiers well
mangpu' Dajonta'bogh tIQIHQo'
And care for them
'ach tIQorgh
So that you can use them.
vaj Dalo'laH.
This is called:
mIwvam Dellu'meH jatlhlu':
"Defeating the enemy and becoming stronger."
<<jagh jeylu'mo' HoS ghurmoHlu'>>.
In war
Qojlu'taHvIS
The goal is victory,
yay 'oH ngoQ'e'.
Not prolonged warfare.
QojtaHghaH nI' 'oHbe' ngoQ'e'.
The general who understands warfare
veS yajchugh Sa'
Is the arbiter of the people's fate,
vaj nuvpu' San 'oDwI' ghaH,
And the protector of the state's security.
wo' Hung QanwI' ghaH je.
------------Without fully knowing the harm the use of arms brings
QIH'e' qaSmoHbogh QI' lo' Sovchu'be'chugh vay'
One cannot know the benefits the use of arms brings.
potlh qaSmoHbogh QI' lo''e' SovlaHbe'.
No country has benefited from a protracted war.
noH nI'qu'mo' cheppu' pagh wo'/Sep.
Those who do not thoroughly know what harm war brings
QIH'e' qaSmoHbogh noH Sovchu'be'chugh vay'
Cannot know how to conduct it to their advantage.
Qapla' qaSmoHbogh veS mIw'e' SovlaHbe'.
ALT
No country has benefited from a protracted war.
noH nI'qu'mo' DotlhDaj Dubpu' pagh wo'/Sep.
Those who don't thoroughly know the harm war can bring
QIH'e' qaSmoHbogh noH Sovchu'be'chugh vay'
Cannot know the benefits it can bring.
chepmeH 'eb'e' qaSmoHbogh noH SovlaHbe'.
8
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
9
Chapter Three:
Offensive strategy
'ay' wej:
HIvmeH Dup
Sun Tzu said:
jatlh SunchI':
In war
Qojlu'taHvIS,
It is best to preserve a country,
nIv ghu' Sep choqlu'chugh,
Not to destroy it.
QIv ghu' Sep Qaw'lu'chugh.
It is best to preserve an army,
nIv ghu' mangghom choqlu'chugh,
Not to destroy it.
QIv ghu' mangghom Qaw'lu'chugh.
It is best to preserve a squadron,
nIv ghu' nawlogh choqlu'chugh,
Not to destroy it.
QIv ghu' nawlogh Qaw'lu'chugh.
It is best to preserve a company,
nIv ghu' wey choqlu'chugh,
Not to destroy it.
QIv ghu' wey Qaw'lu'chugh.
It is best to preserve a five-man squad,
nIv ghu' vagh vaj ghom choqlu'chugh,
Not to destroy it.
QIv ghu' vagh vaj ghom Qaw'lu'chugh.
To win every battle is no mark of great skill.
Hoch may' Qaplu'chugh laH nIv tobbe'lu'.
The mark of great skill is to beat the enemy without fighting.
laH nIv toblu' Suvbe'lu'taHvIS jagh jeylu'chugh.
The best military policy is to attack the enemy's strategy.
jagh Dup HIvlu'chugh QI' ngoch nIvqu' pablu'.
The next, to attack the enemy's alliances.
jagh boq luHIvlu'chugh vebbogh ngoch nIv pablu'.
The next, to attack the enemy's army.
jagh mangghom HIvlu'chugh vebbogh ngoch nIv pablu'.
The worst, to attack the enemy's cities.
jagh veng luHIvlu'chugh ngoch QIv pablu'.
Attack a city only if there is no choice.
veng yIHIv latlh DuH tu'be'lu'chugh neH.
Constructing protective shields,
QanmeH yoDmey DachenmoHmeH,
Preparing assault wagons and other equipment
yovmeH Duj, latlh luch je DayovbeHmoHmeH
Will take three months.
wej jar DapoQ.
Piling up earthen mounds
lam HuDHommey DachenmoHmeH
Will take three months more.
latlh wej jar DapoQ.
If a general cannot curb his impatience,
boHHa''eghmoHlaHbe'chugh Sa'
And sets the soldiers swarming at the walls,
'ej yerghoDaq ghewmey rurbogh negh'e' yovmoHchugh,
He will kill a third of his officers and men
vaj wejmaH wej vatlhvI' yaSDaj QaSDaj je HoH
Without taking the city.
'ach veng jonbe'.
This is the calamity of attacking cities.
veng HIvlu'DI' Qughvam pIHlu'.
Those skilled in warfare
QojmeH po'chugh vay'
Defeat the enemy without fighting.
jagh jey Suvbe'taHvIS.
They take the enemy's cities without attacking them.
jagh vengmey jon HIvbe'taHvIS.
They conquer the enemy's state without a protracted war.
jagh Sep chargh noH nI' ghobbe'taHvIS.
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
They strive to conquer the world yet to keep it intact.
qo' chargh 'ach QIHbe' 'e' nID.
So their army is not worn out
vaj Doy'be' mangghomDaj
And their gain is complete.
'ej naQ tevDaj.
This is the art of offensive strategy.
HIvmeH Dup mIw'a 'oH mIwvam'e'.
This is the way to employ troops:
QaS lo'lu'meH mIwvam pablu':
If you are ten times the enemy strength surround him,
wa'maHlogh nIvchugh HoSlIj jagh yIDech,
If five times his strength attack him,
vaghlogh nIvchugh HoSlIj jagh yIHIv,
If twice his strength divide him,
cha'logh nIvchugh HoSlIj jagh yIwav,
If equally strong be able to engage him,
rapchugh HoSmeyraj jagh yIghobchoHlaH,
If not as strong be able to resist him,
nIvbe'chugh HoSlIj jagh yI'omlaH,
If he is stronger be able to evade him.
nIvchugh jagh HoS yIjunlaH.
A small troop of warriors that stubbornly continues to fight
mulchugh ghobwI' ghom mach 'ej SuvtaHchugh
Will be crushed by a large one.
jeyqu'bej ghobwI' ghom tIn.
The general is the prop of the state.
wo' QutlhwI' ghaH Sa''e'.
If his support is solid, the state will certainly be strong.
Qutlhchu'chugh HoSbej Sep.
If his support is flawed, the state will certainly be weak.
QutlhHa'chugh pujbej Sep.
The ruler can bring distress to his army
mangghom SotmoHlaH che'wI';
In three ways:
wej SotmoHmeH mIw lutu'lu':
When not knowing that the army cannot advance,
DuvlaHbe' mangghom 'e' Sovbe'DI' ghaH,
He orders the army to advance,
'ach Duv mangghom 'e' raD,
Or when not knowing that the army cannot retreat,
pagh HeDlaHbe' mangghom 'e' Sovbe'DI',
He orders the army to retreat.
'ach HeD mangghom 'e' raD.
This is what is meant by the saying
ghu'vam Dellu'meH jatlhlu':
"Tying up the army."
<<mangghom baghlu'>>.
When ignorant of military affairs
QI' potlhmey Sovbe'DI' ghaH
He meddles with the administration of the army
'ach mangghom loH nIS.
This makes the army officers confused.
ghu'vammo' mISchoH mangghom yaSpu'.
When ignorant of the system of military command
QI' ra'meH pat Sovbe'DI' ghaH
He meddles with military appointments.
'ej QI' yaS gheSmoHmeH mIw nIS.
This makes the army officers distrustful.
ghu'vammo' voqHa'choH mangghom yaSpu'.
When the army is confused and distrustful,
mISDI' mangghom 'ej voqHa'DI'
Trouble is sure to come from neighboring rulers.
SengchoHbej jIl Sep che'wI'pu'.
This is what is meant by the saying
ghu'vam Dellu'meH jatlhlu':
"An army in chaos leads the enemy to victory."
<<jagh QapmoH mangghom mISqu'.>>
10
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
There are five circumstances which portend victory:
qaSDI' vagh wanI' yay leSSov ghajlu':
Victory comes to those
yay chav vay'
Who know when to fight
SuvmeH poH ghovchugh
And when not to fight.
Suvbe'meH poH ghovchugh je.
Victory comes to those
yay chav vay'
Who know how to use small forces
HoS mach lo'laHchugh
And how to use large forces.
HoS tIn lo'laHchugh je.
Victory comes to those
yay chav vay'
Whose officers and men
ngoQ rap lughajchugh
Share the same purpose.
yaSDaj QaSDaj je.
Victory comes to those
yay chav vay'
Who are prepared
Suvrupchugh
But whose enemy is unprepared.
'ach Suvrupbe'chugh jaghDaj.
Victory comes to those
yay chav vay'
Who have a capable commander,
ra'wI' po' ghajchugh
Unhampered by the ruler.
'ej ra'wI'vam nISbe'chugh che'wI'.
These five are the Tao of predicting victory.
yay leSSov mIw'a' bIH vagh wanI'vam'e'.
Thus it is said:
vaj jatlhlu':
If you know the enemy and know yourself,
jaghlI' DaSovchugh, bISov'eghchugh je,
In a hundred battles you will find no peril.
wa'vatlh may' Daghob 'ach pagh Qob Datu'.
If you know yourself but not the enemy,
bISov'eghchugh 'ach jaghlI' DaSovbe'chugh,
Some battles you'll win, others you will lose.
'op may' DaQap, latlh may' Daluj.
If you know neither the enemy nor yourself,
jaghlI' DaSovbe'chugh, bISovbe''eghchugh je,
In every battle you will be defeated.
may' DaghobDI' reH Dajeylu'.
11
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Chapter Four:
Formation
'ay' loS:
may'morgh
Sun Tzu said:
jatlh SunchI':
In times of old
tIQDI' bov
Those skilled in warfare
QojmeH po'chugh vay'
First made themselves impossible to defeat,
ghaH jeylu'meH Qu' DuHbe'moH,
Then waited for an opportunity to defeat the enemy.
ghIq jagh jeymeH 'eb loS.
Being impossible to defeat lies with oneself.
Dajeylu'meH Qu' DaDuHbe'moH SoH'e'.
The opportunity to defeat the enemy lies with the enemy.
jagh jeymeH 'eb DuHmoH jagh'e'.
That is why
meqvammo'
Those skilled in warfare
QojmeH po'chugh vay'
Can make themselves impossible to defeat,
ghaH jeymeH Qu' DuHbe'moHlaH
But cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.
'ach jagh jeylaHbejbe'.
Thus it is said:
vaj jatlhlu':
You may know how to achieve victory
yay chavmeH mIw DaSovchugh je
Yet be unable to do so.
chaq yay DachavlaHbe'.
Being impossible to defeat comes with the defense.
Hub'eghmo' vay' ghaH jeylu'meH Qu' DuHbe'moH.
The chance of victory comes with the attack.
HIvmo' vay' yay chavlu'meH 'eb jon.
One mounts a defense when one's strength is insufficient.
Hub'egh vay' yapbe'DI' HoSDaj.
One attacks when one's strength is more than enough.
HIv vay' 'IqDI' HoSDaj.
Those who are skilled at defense
HubmeH po'chugh vay'
Conceal themselves below.
bIngDaq So'.
Those who are skilled at attack
HIvmeH po'chugh vay'
Strike from above.
Dungvo' mup.
Thus they are able to both protect themselves
vaj Hub'eghlaH,
And gain complete victory.
yay chavlaHchu' je.
To discern a victory,
yay Daghovchugh,
When it is known to all,
yayvam SovDI' Hoch,
Is no mark of true skill.
laHna' Datobbe'.
To win a battle,
may' DaQapchugh,
And be praised for it by all,
'ej yaylIjmo' DunaDchugh Hoch,
Is no mark of true skill.
laHna' Datobbe'.
To lift a strand of hair
jIb SIrgh DawoHchugh
Is no mark of great strength;
HoS nIv Datobbe'.
To see the sun and the moon
pemHov maS je luleghlu'DI'
12
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Is no mark of sharp sight;
leghmeH laH nIv Datobbe'.
To hear the clap of thunder
jevbogh muD wab Qoylu'DI'
Is no mark of an acute hearing.
Qoychu'meH laH nIv Datobbe'.
The ancient masters of warfare gained victory
yay luchav veS pIn'a'pu' tIQ
When victory had been made easy to gain.
yay chavmeH Qu' ngeDmoHlu'pu'DI'.
So the battles they won
vaj may'meymo' Qapta'bogh chaH
Brought them neither reputation for wisdom
Sovchaj quvbe'lu'
Nor merit for courage.
'ej toDujchaj naDbe'lu'.
The victories of the master of warfare are without error.
yaymey chavDI' veS pIn'a' Qaghmey qaSmoHbe'.
They are without error so they are inevitable.
Qaghmey qaSmoHbe'mo' yay lubotlu'meH DuHbe'.
They are won over an already defeated enemy.
QapDI' veS pIn'a' jagh jeylu'pu'bogh chargh.
Those skilled in warfare
QojmeH po'chugh vay'
Take up a position which cannot be defeated
Daq'e' charghlaHbe'bogh jagh Dan
And miss no opportunity to defeat the enemy.
'ej jagh jeymeH Hoch 'eb jon.
That is why
meqvammo'
The victorious army first seeks victory,
yay chav 'e' nID Qapbogh mangghom,
Then it begins to fights.
ghIq ghobchoH.
The vanquished army first fights
ghob lujbogh mangghom,
Then it begins to seek victory.
ghIq yay chav 'e' nIDchoH.
Those skilled in warfare
QojmeH po'chugh vay'
Follow Tao and abide by military procedures.
mIw'a' pab 'ej QI' mIwmey lob.
So can bring about victory or defeat.
vaj QapmoHlaH qoj lujmoHlaH.
These are the methods in fighting a war:
veS mIwmeyvam lutulu':
One: taking measurements.
mIw wa': juvlu'.
Two: making estimates.
mIw cha': noHlu'.
Three: making calculations.
mIw wej: SImlu'.
Four: weighing the chances.
mIw loS: DuH luqellu'.
Five: securing victory.
mIw vagh: Qaplu'.
Measurements follow from the terrain.
yavmo' juvruplu'.
Estimates follow from the measurements.
juvlu'pu'mo' noHruplu'.
Calculations follow from the estimates.
noHlu'pu'mo' SImruplu'.
The weighing of chances follows from calculations.
SImlu'pu'mo' DuH luqelruplu'.
Victory follows from the weighing of chances.
DuH luqellu'pu'mo' Qapruplu'.
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14
A victorious army is like a ton pitted against an ounce.
wa' cheb qaDbogh wa'SaD cheb'e' rur Qapbogh mangghom.
A vanquished army is like an ounce pitted against a ton.
wa'SaD cheb qaDbogh wa' cheb'e' rur lujbogh mangghom.
When the victorious are sent into battle
QapwI'pu' lughobmoHlu'DI'
They are like flood water pouring into a gorge.
ngech chongDaq pumbogh SoD bIQ lurur.
So much
may'morgh qellu'ta'.
On the subject of formation.
pItlh.
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
15
Chapter Five:
Might
'ay' vagh:
HoS
Sun Tzu said:
jatlh SunchI':
In general
motlh
Managing many is the same as managing few.
rap law'wI' vu'meH mIw, puSwI' vu'meH mIw je
It is a matter of dividing them up.
luvu'lu'meH luwavnISlu'.
Fighting with many is the same as fighting with few.
rap law'wI' ghobmeH mIw, puSwI' ghobmeH mIw je.
It is a matter of positioning and designating the soldiers.
lughoblu'meH negh lannISlu' 'ej pernISlu'.
The army can be made to withstand the enemy attack
HIvDI' jagh DuH mangghom 'ommoHmeH Qu'
And remain undefeated.
vaj mangghom jeylaHbe'taH jagh.
It is matter of using the conventional and the exceptional.
net qaSmoHmeH motlhwI', le'wI' je lulo'nISlu'.
The army's impact can be like smashing eggs with rocks.
mupDI' mangghom QIm ghorqu'bogh nagh'e' rurlaH.
It's the matter of determining what's weak and what's strong.
net qaSmoHmeH pujwI', HoSwI' je lungu'nISlu'.
So,
SuH,
In battle
bIghobtaHvIS,
Use what's conventional to engage the enemy,
jagh DaghobchoHmeH motlhwI' tIlo',
Use what's exceptional to secure victory.
yay DachavmeH mIw le' tIlo'.
The skills of those expert at devising the exceptional
le'wI' 'oghmeH po'chugh vay'
Are as boundless as the sky and the land,
laHmeyDaj luvuSbe'lu'; chal puH je rur,
As inexhaustible as rivers and seas.
lunatlhbe'lu'; bIqtIq bIQ'a' je rur.
Like the sun and the moon they set and rise again.
pemHov maS je rur; ghIr, ghIq Salqa'.
Like the four seasons they pass and return again.
DIS poHmey rur; tlheD, ghIq cheghqa'.
There are only five basic notes,
vagh wabmey Qatlhbe' neH lutu'lu'
Yet their combinations
'ach Hoch Sarmey chenmoHlaHbogh
Cannot all be heard.
luQoy'lu'meH DuHbe'.
There are only five basic colors
vagh rItlhmey Qatlhbe' neH lutu'lu'
Yet their combinations
'ach Hoch Sarmey chenmoHlaHbogh
Cannot all be seen.
luleghlu'meH DuHbe'.
There are only five basic flavors
vagh Hap Segh Qatlhbe' mumlaHbogh vay' neH lutu'lu'
Yet their combinations
'ach Hoch Sarmey chenmoHlaHbogh
Cannot all be tasted.
lumumlu'meH DuHbe'.
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
16
In battle
ghoblu'taHvIS
There is only what's conventional and what's exceptional
mIwwI', le'wI' je neH lutu'lu':
Yet their combinations
'ach Hoch Sarmey chenmoHlaHbogh
Cannot all be contrived.
lu'oghlu'meH DuHbe'.
The conventional and the exceptional give rise to each other,
chenchuqmoH motlhwI', le'wI' je.
Like a circle without a beginning or end.
me'ghan 'erIn je Hutlhbogh gho'e' lurur;
Can anyone exhaust the diversity of their combinations?
Hoch Sarmey chenmoHlaHbogh natlhlaH'a' vay'?
The rushing torrent tosses rocks around.
pe'vIl vIHtaHvIS bIQ naghmey jaD
Such is the power of its momentum.
vIHmoHmeH HoSDajmo'.
A pouncing bird of prey breaks the bones of its quarry.
pe'vIl ghIrDI' toQ gheDDaj HomDu' ghor
Such is the precision of its timing.
vangmeH poH qar wIvchu'mo'.
The power of the experts in warfare is overwhelming,
HoSghajmo' veS po'wI' jeychu'.
Their timing precise.
vangmeH poH wIvchu'mo' qarchu'.
Their power is like a drawn crossbow.
HoSghaj; tlhevjaQ wobbeHmoHlu'pu'bogh rur.
Their timing is like releasing a trigger.
vangmeH poH wIvchu'; chu'wI' rIHlu'chu'lI'bogh rur.
In the fury and frenzy of battle,
QeHDI' may' 'ej qu'DI',
When each soldier seems thrown into confusion
mangpu' mISmoHlaw'DI'
They cannot be confused.
veS po'wI' mISmoHlu'meH DuHbe'.
In the turmoil and tumult of battle
mISDI' may' 'ej chuSDI',
When the battle array seems fenced in all around
may'morgh Dechlu'law'DI'
They cannot be defeated.
veS po'wI' jeylu'meH DuHbe'.
What seems like disorder comes from order.
mISlu'law' mISbe'lu'mo'.
What seems like cowardice comes from courage.
nuch Dalu'law' yoHlu'mo'.
What seems like weakness comes from strength.
pujlu'law' HoSlu'mo'.
Order or disorder arise from organization.
mISbe'lu' pagh mISlu' patmo'.
Courage or cowardice arise from circumstances.
yoHlu' pagh nuch Dalu' wanI'meymo'.
Strength or weakness arise from formation.
HoSlu' pagh pujlu' may'morghmo'.
Thus those who are good at keeping the enemy on the move
vaj jagh ghoSmoHtaHmeH po'chugh vay'
Deploy the troops in positions where the foe is certain to go.
DaqDaq ghoSbejbogh jagh QaS lan.
They present the foe with the bait which he is certain to take.
jaghvaD tlhu'moHwI''e' tlhapbejbogh jagh 'ang.
They lure the enemy into making a move.
jagh tlhu'moHmo' jagh vangmoH.
And await him in readiness.
ghIq, SuvruptaHvIS, jagh loS.
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Those who are skilled in warfare
QojmeH po'chugh vay'
Seek victory from the powers of strategy
Dup HoSmeymo' yay chav 'e' nID.
Not from their soldiers.
neghDajmo' yay chav 'e' nIDbe'.
They are able to select the right individuals
Qu'vaD nuvpu' lugh wIvlaH.
But rely on the powers of strategy.
'ach Dup HoSmey wuv.
Those whose might comes from the strategy
Dupmo' HoSchugh vay'
Send their troops into battle
QaSDaj ghobchoHmoHDI'
As if they were rolling trees or stones on the ground.
yavDaq DIngbogh Sor nagh joq rur QaSDaj.
On level ground trees and rocks remain still.
SaSDI' yav, vIHbe' Sor nagh je.
On sloping ground they move.
SaSHa'DI' yav, vIH.
If square-shaped they halt.
meyrI' lururchugh, mev.
If round-shaped they roll.
moQ lururchugh, DIng.
The soldiers skillfully commanded in battle
ghobbogh negh ra'lu'chu'chugh
Have the might of round rocks
HoS ghaj; moQ rurbogh nagh HoS'e' rur HoSDaj.
Rolled down from mountain heights.
HuD jenvo' naghvam lughIrmoHlu'bogh HoS'e' rur.
So much
HoS qellu'ta'.
On the subject of might.
pItlh.
17
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Chapter six:
Weakness and Strength
'ay' jav:
pujlu' 'ej HoSlu'
Sun Tzu said:
jatlh SunchI':
Those who come to the battlefield early
che'ronDaq 'eqchugh vay'
And await the enemy
'ej jagh loSchugh
Are at ease.
bItbe'.
Those who come to the battlefield late
che'ronDaq paSchugh vay'
And hasten to do battle
'ej ghobmeH moDchugh
Are weary.
Doy'chu'.
Those who are skilled in warfare
QojmeH po'chugh vay'
Cause the enemy to move,
jagh ghoSmoH,
And are not moved by the enemy.
ghaH ghoSmoHbe' jagh.
They can lure the enemy into coming.
pawmeH jagh tungHa'laH.
And they can deter him from coming.
pawbe'meH jagh tunglaH.
If the enemy is at ease, you can make him weary.
bItbe'chugh jagh DaDoy'moHlaH.
If he is well-fed, you can make him starve.
Sopqu'chugh jagh DaghungmoHlaH.
If he is at rest, you can make him move.
ghoSbe'chugh jagh DaghoSmoHlaH.
Proceed to positions to which he must race.
Daqmey'e' nom ghoSnISbogh jagh yIjaH.
Race to positions where you are not expected.
Daqmey'e' DaghoSlaHbe'law'bogh nom yIjaH.
To march a thousand miles
wa'SaD qelIqam chuq DaghoSmeH
Without becoming weary
'ej bIDoy'choHbe'meH
Go through unoccupied terrain.
puHDaq Danbe'lu'bogh yIghoS.
To make sure you will take what you attack
vay' DaHIvbogh DajonbejmeH
Attack the positions the enemy does not defend.
Daq'e' Hubbe'bogh jagh tIHIv.
To make sure you will hold what you defend
vay' DaHubbogh DapolbejmeH
Defend the positions the enemy will not attack.
Daq'e' HIvbe'bogh jagh tIHub.
Against those who are skilled in attack
HIvwI' po' ghomchugh jagh
The enemy does not know where to defend.
Daq HubnISbogh ngu'laHbe'.
Against those who are skilled in defense
HubwI' po' ghomchugh jagh
The enemy does not know where to attack.
Daq HIvnISbogh ngu'laHbe'.
Perfectly concealed
So'chu' veS po'wI'
The experts in war are elusive
ghochlu'meH DuHbe';
To the point of being substanceless,
SubHa'law' ghaH, tlhoS SubHa'chu'.
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veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Mysterious and spiritlike
pegh veS po'wI' ej qa' rur;
To the point of soundlessness,
chuSHa'law' ghaH, tlhoS chuSHa'chu'.
They can thus be arbiters of the enemy's fate.
vaj jagh San 'oDwI' ghaHlaH.
When advancing they are irresistible
DuvtaHvIS ghaH 'ommeH DuHbe'
For they make for the enemy's weak points.
jagh 'ay'mey pujDaq yovmo',
When retreating they are unstoppable
HeDtaHvIS ghaH mevmoHmeH DuHbe'
For they outdistance the chasers.
not SIchlu', DoDaj nIvmo'.
The enemy may be protected by diverse ground defenses,
chaq jagh luQan yav Hubmey Sarqu',
But when I wish to do battle,
'ach vIghob vIneHDI',
He cannot help but engage me
mughob 'e' junlaHbe' ghaH
If I attack what he must rescue.
vay''e' toDnISbogh ghaH vIHIvchugh.
I may be protected by merely a line drawn on the ground,
chaq muQan yavDaq tlhegh DIjlu'pu'bogh neH,
But when I do not wish to do battle,
'ach jIghob vIneHbe'DI',
The enemy will not engage me
mughobchoHbe' jagh
If I divert him in a different direction.
latlh lurchDaq vIghoSmoHchugh.
If I can determine the enemy's position
jagh Daq vIngu'laHchugh
While concealing my own
DaqwIj vISo'taHvIS,
I can keep my forces united
vaj HoSmeywIj vItay'moHlaHtaH
Yet his forces must be fragmented
'ach tay'Ha'nIS HoSmeyDaj
And if my forces are united
'ej tay'chugh HoSmeywIj
While his are fragmented,
tay'Ha'taHvIS HoSmeyDaj
I can use my entire force
vaj HoSwIj naQ vIlo'laH
And attack a fraction of his.
'ej wa' HoSDaj 'ay' vIHIvlaH.
So that we are many to the enemy's few.
vaj malaw' maH, puS jagh.
If we strike his few with our many
puSwI'Daj DIHIvmeH law'wI'maj DIlo'chugh
Then at any one point
vaj Hoch DaqDaq
The force we engage in battle will be constrained.
HoS wIghobbogh weghlu'.
The place I intend to attack
vogh jagh vIHIv 'e' vIHechchugh
Must not be known to the enemy.
Daqvam Sovbe'nIS jagh.
If it is not known
Sovbe'chugh
The enemy will have to reinforce many places.
vaj Daqmey law' rachnIS.
If he reinforces many places
Daqmey law' rachchugh
But I will attack only a few
'ach Daqmey puS neH vIHIvchugh
Then at any one place
vaj Hoch DaqDaq
The forces will have to fight will be limited.
HoS wIghobnISbogh vuSmoHlu'.
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veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
If the enemy reinforces his frontline
'etDaj rachchugh jagh
He will weaken his rear.
'o'Daj pujmoH.
If he reinforces his rear
'o'Daj rachchugh
He will weaken his frontline.
'etDaj pujmoH.
If he reinforces his right flank
nISDaj rachchugh
He will weaken his left flank.
poSDaj pujmoH.
If he reinforces his left flank
poSDaj rachchugh
He will weaken his right flank.
nISDaj pujmoH.
If he reinforces every position
Hoch Daq rachchugh
He will weaken every position.
Hoch Daq pujmoH.
Those who are weak
pujchugh vay'
Prepare against the enemy.
jagh SuvrupmeH vang.
Those who are strong
HoSchugh vay'
Cause the enemy to prepare against them.
ghaH SuvrupmeH jagh vangmoH.
So if you know the place and the day of battle
vaj may' Daq, may' jaj je DaSovchugh
You can do battle
vaj bIghoblaH
Even after a march of a thousand miles.
wa'SaD qelI'qam chuq DaghoSta'DI' je.
But if you don't know the place nor the day of battle
'ach may' Daq, may' jaj joq DaSovbe'chugh
Then your left flank cannot help your right flank,
vaj nIHlIj QaHlaHbe' poSlIj,
And your right flank cannot help your left flank,
'ej poSlIj QaHlaHbe' nIHlIj,
Your front cannot help your rear,
'o'lIj QaHlaHbe' 'etlIj,
And your rear cannot help your front,
'ej 'etlIj QaHlaHbe' 'o'lIj,
Even if they are but a short distance apart!
bIH chevchugh chuq tIqHa'qu' neH.
If according to my assessment,
jagh vIchovchugh
The enemy has many troops
'ej law' QaSDaj 'e' vItu'chugh
Can it help them gain victory?
'ach lawmo' yay chavlaH'a'?
It is said:
jatlhlu':
"Victory can be made."
<<DuH yay qaSmoHmeH Qu'.>>
The enemy may be numerous
chaq law' jagh
But he can be kept from fighting.
'ach Suv 'e' botlaH vay'.
So,
SuH,
Examine the enemy
jagh yInuD
And determine the strengths and flaws of his plans.
'ej nabDaj HoSmey, nabDaj Duy'mey je tIngu'.
Incite the enemy to action
jagh yIvangmoH
And determine the pattern of his movements and rest.
'ej ghoSmeH mIwDaj, mevmeH mIwDaj je tIngu'.
Make the enemy show himself
jagh yI'ang'eghmoH
And determine the positions of death and life.
'ej Hegh Daqmey yIn Daqmey je tIngu'.
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veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Tussle with the enemy
jagh yItlhaS
And determine where he is strong and where he is weak.
'ej DaqmeyDaj HoS DaqmeyDaj puj je tIngu'.
The best military formation is one that seems formless.
nIvqu' may'morgh chenbe'law'chugh.
If it seems formless
chenbe'law'chugh may'morgh
Undercover spies cannot observe it
vaj lutu'laHbe' ghoqwI'pu' pegh.
Nor can the wise plot against you.
lIQIHmeH QuSlaHbe' valwI'pu'.
It is the formation that brings victory
may'morghmo' yay chavlu',
Over the multitude
law'wI'pu' lujeylu'
Though the multitude does not understand this.
'ach 'e' luyajbe' chaH.
Everyone can see the formation which made me victorious
muQapmoHpu'bogh may'morgh leghlaH Hoch
But no one can understand how I created it.
'ach 'oH chenmoHmeH mIwwIj yajlaH pagh.
The strategies for victory cannot be repeated.
QapmoHbogh Dupmey lulo'qa'be'lu'.
They are formed in response to the circumstances.
wanI' luqaDlu'meH Dup luchenmoHlu'.
The army's formation is like water.
bIQ rur mangghom may'morgh.
Water avoids the heights
yav jen jun bIQ
And rushes to the lowlands.
'ej yav 'eS ghoS.
On its way to victory
yay chav 'e' nIDtaHvIS mangghom
The army avoids what is strong
HoSwI' jun
And strikes what is weak.
'ej pujwI' HIv.
Water varies its flow
HeDaj choH bIQ
According to the lay of the land.
puH Seghmo' .
The army varies its method
mIwDaj choH mangghom
According to the enemy.
jagh Seghmo'.
It has no fixed strategy
Dup ru'Ha' ghajbe'.
Nor invariable positions.
wa' DaqDaq ratlhtaHbe'.
Those who can adjust to the enemy
jaghDajmo' choH'eghlaHchugh vay'
And thus achieve victory
'ej choH'eghmo' yay chavlaHchugh
Are called divine.
vay'vamvaD wIgh ponglu'.
There are five phases, yet none prevails forever.
vagh 'u' choH lutu'lu' 'ach reH ghatlh pagh.
There are four seasons, yet none lasts forever.
loS DIS poH lutu'lu' 'ach reH taH pagh.
The days are long and short.
nI' qoj ngaj jaj.
The moon waxes and wanes.
nup qoj ghur maS.
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veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
To form the best battle array
may'morgh nIv DachenmoHmeH
Make one that seems formless.
chenbe'law'bogh may'morgh yIchenmoH.
22
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
23
Chapter seven:
Armed conflict
'ay' Soch:
QI' yol
This is the general practice in the military:
roD mIwvam pab QI':
The general receives command from the ruler.
Sa' ra'moH che'wI',
He assembles the troops,
QaS ghommoH Sa',
Forms the army,
mangghom chenmoH
And sets up camp.
'ej raQ cher. [N]
Yet of all the tasks,
'ach Hoch Qu'mey'e',
The real challenge is the armed conflict itself.
qaDna' 'oH QI' yol'e'.
The challenge of the armed conflict
qaD 'oH QI' yol'e'
Lies in turning the circuitous into the direct
napHa'wI' napnISmoHlu'mo'
And in turning adversity into an advantage.
'ej qay'wI' lI'nISmoHlu'mo'.
The challenge of the armed conflict
qaD 'oH QI' yol'e'
Lies in making what’s circuitous direct
napHa'wI' napnISmoHlu'mo'
And in making what’s unfavorable useful.
'ej qay'wI' lI'nISmoHlu'mo'.
If you make the enemy's route circuitous,
jagh He DanapHa'moHchugh,
And lure him with some gain,
And lure him with an opportunity for gain
ghaHvaD potlh Da'angmo' Datlhu'moHchugh
'ej Datlhu'moHmeH ghaHvaD potlh SuqmeH 'eb Da'angchugh
Then you can set out behind him
vaj DatlheDlaH tlheDpu'DI' jagh
Yet arrive before him.
'ej Dapaw'laH paw'pa' ghaH.
Those who can do this
'e' ta'laHchugh vay'
Understand the tactics of the circuitous and the direct.
napHa'wI' napwI' je to' yaj.
Armed conflict brings gain.
QI' yolmo' potlh Suqlu'.
Armed conflict brings risk.
QI' yolmo' Qob SIQlu'.
Send the entire army into action
mangghom naQ DavangmoHchugh
To obtain some gain
To seize an opportunity
potlh DaSuq DaneHmo'
'eb Dajon DaneHmo''
And you may arrive too late.
vaj chaq bIpawpa' narghpu' 'eb.
Send a reduced army into action
mangghom naQHa' DavangmoHchugh
To obtain some gain
To seize an opportunity
potlh DaSuq DaneHmo'
'eb Dajon DaneHmo''
And your supplies and equipment may be lost.
chaq jo luch je DachIl.
Abandon your equipment and depart
luch Dalonchugh 'ej DatlheDchugh
Carrying only your armor,
may'luch neH DaqentaHvIS
March day and night
pem ram je bIjaHchugh
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Without stopping,
bImevbe'taHvIS,
March thirty miles
wejmaH qelI'qam chuq DajaHchugh
At double your usual speed
cha'logh DolIj motlh DaghurtaHvIS
To obtain some gain
To seize an opportunity
potlh DaSuq DaneHmo'
'eb Dajon DaneHmo''
And you may lose all your commanders.
chaq Hoch ra'wI'pu'lI' DachIl.
The strong will arrive first,
paw HoSwI'pu'
The weak will lag behind
pawpa' pujwI'pu'
Yet only one-tenth of your soldiers will arrive.
'ach paw negh wa'maH vatlhvI' neH.
March fifteen miles
wa'maH vagh qelI'qam chuq DajaHchugh
At excessive speed
'IqtaHvIS DolIj
To obtain some gain
To seize an opportunity
potlh DaSuq DaneHmo'
'eb Dajon DaneHmo''
And the commander of the advance force will be lost
vaj mangghom 'et ra'wI' DachIl
And only one half of your soldiers will arrive.
'ej paw negh bID neH.
March ten miles
wa'maH qelI'qam chuq DajaHchugh
To obtain some gain
To seize an opportunity
potlh DaSuq DaneHmo'
'eb Dajon DaneHmo''
And two thirds of your soldiers will arrive.
vaj paw negh javmaH jav vatlhvI' neH.
Without the equipment an army is lost.
luch Hutlhchugh mangghom vaj luj.
Without the provisions an army is lost.
Soj Hutlhchugh mangghom vaj luj.
Without the supplies an army is lost.
jo Hutlhchugh mangghom vaj luj.
If you don’t know the plans of your neighbors
jIlpu'lI' nabmey DaSovbe'chugh
You cannot form alliances with them.
vaj DaboqlaHbe'.
If you don’t know the lay of the land:
puH ghor DaSovbe'chugh:
Mountains and forests,
HuDmey, ngemmey je DaSovbe'chugh,
Natural hazards
puH Qobmey DaSovbe'chugh,
Marshes and swamps,
yotlh yIQ yotlh SubHa' je DaSovbe'chugh,
You cannot advance the army.
vaj mangghom DaDuvmoHlaHbe'.
If you don’t use local guides
Sung DevwI'pu' Dalo'be'chugh
You cannot take advantage of the terrain.
'ebmey'e' qaSmoHbogh yav DajonlaHbe'.
24
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
In war
Qojlu'taHvIS
Positions are established by guile,
Daq luDanlu'meH tojlu',
Actions are driven by gain,
potlh luSuqlu'meH vanglu',
Conditions shaped by dividing and uniting the troops.
Dotlh luchoHlu'meH QaS wavlu' 'ej tay'moHlu'.
That is why
meqvammo'
An army is swift like a wind.
DuvDI' mangghom moD; SuS rur.
Stately like a forest.
leghlu'DI' Doj; ngem rur.
Ravaging like fire.
weHDI' qu'; qul rur.
Standing firm like a mountain.
QamDI' Sub; HuD rur.
Inscrutable like darkness.
nuDlu'DI' HuvHa'; Qub rur.
Striking hard like a thunderbolt.
mupDI' vaQ; jevbogh tIH rur.
When plundering the countryside divide your troops.
Hatlh DaweHtaHvIS QaSlIj tIwav.
When expanding your territory divide the spoils.
yerlIj DaSachmoHtaHvIS tevmey tIwav.
Assess the situation before making a move.
bIvangchoHpa' ghu' yIchov.
Victory comes to those
yay chav vay'
Who know the tactics of the circuitous and the direct.
napHa'wI napwI' je to' Sovchugh.
This is the art of the armed conflict.
QI' yol mIw'a' 'oH mIwvam'e'.
"The Book of Military Policies" says:
maq <<QI' ngochmey paq>>:
When the troops cannot hear each other
QoychuqlaHbe'DI' QaS
Use drums and gongs.
DIr 'Inmey, baS 'Inmey je tIlo'.
When the troops cannot see each other clearly
leghchuqlaHchu'be'DI' QaS
Use pennants and flags.
Deghmey joqwI'mey je tIlo'.
In night battles use many torches and drums.
qaStaHvIS ram may' Sech law', 'In law' je tIlo'.
In day battles use many pennants and flags.
qaStaHvIS pem may' joqwI' law', Degh law' je tIlo'.
Drums, gongs, pennants and flags
DIr 'Inmo', baS 'Inmo' je, Deghmo' joqwI'mo' je
Are used to unify the soldiers eyes and ears.
wa' Dol luDa negh mInDu' teSDu' je.
Once the army acts as a whole
wa' Dol naQ Dachugh mangghom
The brave cannot advance alone,
nIteb DuvlaHbe' yoHwI',
The timid cannot retreat alone.
nIteb HeDlaHbe' yoHHa'wI'.
This is the way to use many.
law'wI' lulo'lumeH mIwvam pablu'.
The army may be robbed of its spirit.
mangghomvo' qa' nIHlaH vay'.
The commander may be robbed of his mind.
ra'wI'vo' yab nIHlaH vay'.
Now,
toH,
25
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
In the morning the spirit is keen,
qaSDI' po vaQ qa',
By noon it begins to weaken,
qaSpa' DungluQ pujchoH qa',
By dusk it is spent.
Dorpa' pem qa' natlhlu'.
ALT Now,
toH
When fighting begins the spirit is keen,
ghobchoHlu'DI' vaQ qa',
With time it starts to weaken,
ghoblu'taHDI' pujchoH qa',
In the end it is spent.
tagha' qa' natlhlu'.
Those skilled in warfare
QojmeH po'chugh vay'
Avoid the enemy when his spirit is keen,
jagh jun HoSghajDI' jagh qa'.
They strike when his spirit is weakened
jagh HIv pujchoHDI' jagh qa'
Or when it is spent.
qoj jagh qa' natlhlu'pu'DI'.
This is the way to control spirit.
qa' SeHlu'meH mIwvam pablu'.
Confront the disordered with order.
mISwI' DaqaDDI' yImISQo'.
Confront the clamorous with calm.
chuSwI' DaqaDDI' yISey'Qo'.
This is the way to control the mind.
yab SeHlu'meH mIwvam pablu'.
To confront the distant use the near.
HopwI' DaqaDmeH SumwI' tIlo'
To confront the fatigued use the rested.
Doy'wI' DaqaDmeH leSpu'wI' tIlo'.
To confront the hungry use the sated.
ghungwI' DaqaDmeH Soppu'wI' tIlo'.
This is the way to control strength.
HoS SeHlu'meH mIwvam pablu'.
Do not engage well-arrayed banners.
joqwI' DaHmey pup tIghobQo'.
Do not attack impressive formations.
may'morghmey Doj tIHIvQo'.
This is the way to control change.
choH SeHlu'meH mIwvam pablu'.
This is the way to employ troops:
QaS lo'lu'meH mIwvam pablu':
Do not attack the enemy that is on a high ground.
yav jenDaq ghaHtaHchugh jagh yIHIvQo'.
Do not oppose an enemy that has his back to a hill.
jagh 'emDaq HuDHom tu'lu'chugh jaghvam yIqaDQo'.
Do not pursue an enemy feigning retreat.
HeD 'e' ghetchugh jagh jaghvam yItlha'Qo'.
Do not attack the enemy’s finest.
jagh nIvwI'pu' tIHIvQo'.
Do not swallow the enemy’'s bait.
jagh tlhu'moHwI' yIqImQo'.
Do not obstruct an enemy returning home.
juH cheghtaHchugh jagh jaghvam yIwaQQo'.
Leave a way of escape to a surrounded enemy
narghmeH 'eb ghaj jagh DaDechbogh 'e' yIbotQo'.
Do not press a cornered enemy.
jagh vonlu'pu'chugh jaghvam yIraDQo'.
This is the art of warfare.
veS mIw 'a' 'oH mIwvam'e'.
26
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Chapter eight:
Nine Contingencies
'ay' chorgh:
Hut DuHmey
Sun Tzu said:
jatlh SunchI':
This is the general practice in the military:
roD mIwvam pab QI':
The general receives command from the ruler.
Sa' ra'moH che'wI'.
He assembles the troops,
QaS ghommoH Sa',
And forms the army.
'ej mangghom chenmoH.
Do not encamp on difficult ground.
Qatlhbogh yavDaq raQ yIcherQo'.
Unite with your allies on connecting ground.
rarbogh yavDaq boqlIj jeSwI' tImuv.
Do not linger on cut-off ground.
yavDaq chevlu'bogh yIlumQo'.
Devise strategems on enclosed ground.
yavDaq Dechlu'bogh tojmeH tuH tI'ong.
Do battle on deadly ground.
HeghmoHbogh yavDaq yIghob.
There are routes not to be taken.
'op He lughoSbe'nISlu'.
There are armies not to be attacked.
'op mangghom luHIvbe'nISlu'.
There are towns not to be assaulted.
'op veng luyovbe'nISlu'.
There are territories not to be contested.
'op yermo' 'ovbe'nISlu'.
There are commands of the ruler not to be obeyed.
ra'DI' che'wI' rut lobbe'nISlu'.
Fully understanding the benefits of the nine contingencies
Hut DuH lo'mey yajchu'chugh Sa'
The general knows how to use the army.
vaj mangghom lo'laH.
Not understanding the benefits of the nine contingencies
Hut DuH lo'mey yajbe'chugh Sa'
The general may know the lay of the land
chaq puH ghor Sov,
But will not be able to use it to his advantage.
'ach QapmeH 'oH lo'laHbe'.
Those who command an army
mangghom ra'chugh vay'
But do not know the tactics for the nine contingencies
ach Hut DuHmeyvaD lughbogh to' Sovbe'chugh
May know the advantages of the five types of ground
chaq 'eb'e' qaSmoHbogh yav vagh Seghmey Sov
But will not be able to use his troops effectively.
'ach QaSDaj lo'laHchu'be'.
Therefore in his planning
vaj nabtaHvIS
The wise commander has to consider what can be gained
potlh SuqlaHbogh qelnIS ra'wI' val,
And what can be lost.
yaHlaHbogh potlh qelnIS je.
By considering what can be gained
potlh SuqlaHbogh qelmo'
He makes his plans feasible
nabDaj QapmoHlaH.
By considering what can be lost
yaHlaHbogh potlh qelmo'
He can prevent damage.
QIH botlaH.
27
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
He brings opponents to submission by causing them harm
gholpu' ghatlhmeH chaH QIH.
He tires them by keeping them constantly occupied.
gholpu' Doy'moHmeH chaH vummoHtaH.
He makes them rush by luring them out.
gholpu' moDmoHmeH chaH tlhu'moH.
This is the art of warfare:
veS mIw'a' 'oH mIwvam'e':
Do not depend on the enemy not coming.
pawbe' jagh 'e' yIwuvQo'.
Depend on being ready for him.
jagh Daghomrup 'e' yIwuv.
Do not depend on the enemy not attacking.
HIvbe' jagh 'e' yIwuvQo'.
Depend on having a position that cannot be attacked.
DaqlIj HIvlu'meH DuHbe' 'e' yIwuv.
There are five character faults dangerous in a general:
Sa' qa'vaD Qob vagh Duy'meyvam:
If he is too ready to die he can be killed.
tlhoy Heghrupchugh ghaH HoHlaH vay'.
If he is too keen to survive he can be captured.
tlhoy taHqangchugh ghaH jonlaH vay'.
If he is quick-tempered he can be insulted.
nom QeHchoHchugh ghaH tIchlaH vay'.
If he cares too much about honor he can be shamed.
tlhoy quv SaHchugh ghaH tuHlaH vay'.
If he cares too much for the people he can be troubled.
tlhoy nuv SaHchugh ghaH nuQlaH vay'.
These five are faults in a general.
Sa' luQIvmoH vagh Duy'meyvam
They are disasterous in war.
QojtaHvIS vay' lulujmoH.
Because of these five dangerous faults
vagh Duy'vam Qobmo'
An army is defeated
mangghom jeylu'
And its general slain.
'ej Sa' HoHlu'.
Therefore they must be examined carefully.
vaj lunuDnISlu'chu'.
28
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
29
Chapter nine:
Advancing the Army
'ay' Hut:
mangghom DuvmoHlu'
Sun Tzu said:
jatlh SunchI':
As for taking up position
DanmeH Daq luwIvlu'meH
And assessing the enemy:
'ej jagh chovlu'meH:
To cross mountains
HuDmey latlh Dop DajaHmeH
Hold to the valleys.
ngechDaq yIratlh.
Seek tenable ground.
yav DaHublaHbogh yISam.
Camp high.
'ej yav jenDaq raQ yIchenmoH.
Fight downhill, not uphill.
bISuvmeH yIghIr, yISalQo'.
This is how to take up position in the mountains.
HuDmeyDaq Daqmeyvam luDanlu'.
After crossing a river
bIQtIq latlh Dop DajaHpu'DI'
Distance yourself from it.
bIQtIq yIDoH.
If the enemy is crossing water to invade you
DuyotmeH bIQ latlh Dop jaHlI'chugh jagh
Do not engage him in midstream.
bIQDaq yIghobchoHQo'.
Strike when half of his troops have crossed.
yIHIv latlh Dop jaHpu'DI' bID QaSDaj.
If you want to do battle
bIghob DaneHchugh
Do not engage the invaders near water.
yotwI' tIghobchoHQo' SumDI' bIQ.
Position yourself on high ground
yav jenDaq yIlan'egh,
Facing the sunny side.
Dop wovDaq yIratlh.
Do not advance against the flow.
vIHbogh bIQ lurchDaq yIDuv, latlh lurchDaq yIDuvQo'.
This is how to take up position near water.
SumDI' bIQ Daqmeyvam luDanlu'.
To cross salt wetlands
puH yIQ latlh Dop DajaHmeH
Move rapidly,
nom yIghoS,
Do not linger.
yIlumQo'.
If you encounter the enemy
jagh Daghomchugh
Stay close to the water plants
bIQ tIDaq yISumtaH
And keep your back to the trees.
Sormey tlhopDaq 'oHnIS 'o'lIj'e'.
This is how to position the army in the wetlands.
puH yIQDaq Daqmeyvam luDanlu'.
On the flatlands
puH beQDaq
Take up position on open ground.
yav Huv yIDan.
Keep high ground to your right and rear.
SoH nIHDaq, SoH 'emDaq je 'oHnIS yav jen'e'.
Keep dangerous ground to your front
SoH tlhopDaq 'oHnIS yav Qob'e',
And safe ground to your rear.
SoH 'emDaq yav 'oHnIS QobHa''e'.
So much for taking up position on the flatlands.
puH beQDaq jaHDI' mangghom Daqvam luDanlu'.
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
30
By taking the best position in the four types of terrain
loS yav SeghmeyvamDaq Daq nIvqu' Danmo'
The Yellow Emperor gained victory
yay chav voDleH SuD,
Over the four neighboring rulers.
loS jIl che'wI'pu' jey.
Typically
motlh
Armies prefer high ground
yav jen lumaS mangghommey,
And dislike low ground,
yav 'eS lupar,
They prize the sunny side
Dop wov luvuv,
And shun the shaded side,
Dop Hurgh lujun,
They choose places that sustain life
yInmoHbogh Daqmey wIv,
And occupy the ground that is solid and free of disease.
Subbogh yav 'ej ngejbe'bogh luDan.
Such choices ensure victory.
wIvmeyvammo' Qaplu'.
On hills and embankments
HuDHommeyDaq, bIQ DopmeyDaq
Take up position on the sunny side.
Dop wovDaq yIlan'egh.
Keep the high ground to the right and rear.
SoH nIHDaq, SoH 'emDaq je 'oHnIS yav jen'e'.
Use the lay of the land to your advantage.
DotlhlIj DaDubmeH puH ghor yIlo'.
When rains upstream have swollen the river
bIQtIq 'ay' jenDaq SISpu'mo' law'qu'choHDI' bIQ
Do not ford it before water subsides.
bIQtIqDaq yIjaHQo' 'eSchoHpa' bIQ.
Where there is ground with
yavDaq
Steep river gorges,
tlhoS chongbogh bIQtIq ngech lutu'lu'chugh,
Natural wells,
ghor bIQ Hal lutu'lu'chugh,
Box canyons,
wa'DI n lughajbogh qoj ngechmey chong lutu'lu'chugh,
Thick shrubbery,
lav ghom jeD lutu'lu'chugh,
Natural pits,
ghor DIS lutu'lu'chugh,
Natural cracks,
ghor Qargh lutu'lu'chugh,
Leave such places quickly.
nom Daqvam tIDoH.
And do not go near them.
'ej tIcholQo'.
Keep your distance from them
DaqmeyvamDaq yIHoptaH
And make the enemy go near them.
'ej bIHDaq jagh yISummoH.
Keep them to your front
SoH tlhop bIHnIS Daqmeyvam'e'.
And make the enemy have them to his rear.
DaqmeyvamDaq 'oHnIS jagh 'em'e'.
If the army is flanked by
mangghom retlhDaq
Ravines,
Sawqu'bogh ngech lutu'lu'chugh,
Ponds,
ngengHom lutu'lu'chugh,
Rushes and reeds,
bIQ HeH tI lutu'lu'chugh,
Mountain forests,
HuD ngemmey lutu'lu'chugh,
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Thick undergrowth,
yav tI jeD lutu'lu'chugh,
Stay alert.
yIDughtaH.
Search them carefully and repeatedly.
Daqmeyvam tInej, tInejchu', tInejqa'.
These are places of ambush,
Daqmeyvamvo' HIvlaH HIvwI' pegh,
Hideouts of spies.
DaqmeyvamDaq So'laH ghoqwI'.
If the enemy is close yet quiet
Sumchugh jagh 'ach chuSbe'chugh
He is counting on having an advantegous position.
DaqDaj nIv wuv.
If the enemy is at a distance and provokes battle
Hopchugh jagh 'ej DughobmoH 'e' nIDchugh
He wants you to advance.
bIDuv neH ghaH.
If he has taken position on open ground
yav Huv lan'eghta'chugh jagh
It must give him an advantage.
DotlhDaj Dubba' DaqDaj.
If there is movement in the trees
SormeyDaq vIHchugh vay'
He is coming.
chollI' jagh.
If there are obstacles placed in the grass
yav tIDaq waQwI' lulanlu'ta'chugh
He is trying to mislead you.
DutojlI' 'e' nID jagh.
If birds rise in flight
qajchugh bo'Deghmey
He is lying in ambush.
DuHIvmeH So'lI' jagh.
If animals are startled
Ha'DIbaHmey ghIjchugh vay'
He is mounting an attack.
DuHIvrupchoHlI' jagh.
If dust rises high in high columns
jenchoHchugh lam tutmey
His vehicles are coming.
chollI' DujmeyDaj.
If dust hangs low and wide
'eSchugh lam 'ay'mey law'
His infantry is coming.
chollI' yItbogh neghDaj.
If dust floats in scattered strands
muDDaq ghomHa'chugh lam SIrghmey
His is gathering firewood.
qul chenmoHmeH Sor Hap boSlI' jagh.
If puffs of dust come and go
narghchugh lam 'engHommey 'ej ngabchugh
He is making camp.
raQ chenmoHlI' jagh.
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veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
If his words are humble
HemHa'chugh mu'meyDaj
Yet he continues to prepare for war
'ach QojrupchoHlI'chugh ghaH
He will advance.
vaj Duvbej.
If his words are belligerent
vIDchugh mu'meyDaj
And he advances hastily
'ej DuvtaHvIS moDchugh ghaH
He will withdraw.
HeDbej.
If his light vehicles come out first
Duvpa' latlh DujmeyDaj Duvchugh DujmeyDaj tIS
And take up position on the flanks
'ej mangghomDaj DopmeyDaq lan'eghchugh
He is moving into battle formation.
may'morgh chenmoHlI' jagh.
If he requests peace but signs no treaty
Suroj 'e' tlhobchugh jagh 'ach mab qI'be'chugh
He is plotting.
QuSlI'.
If he departs rapidly
nom tlheDchugh jagh
With his troops in formation
'ej may'morgh chenmoHta'chugh QaSDaj
He is ready for battle.
ghobrup ghaH.
If some of his troops advance
Duvchugh 'op QaSDaj
And some of his troops retreat
'ej HeDchugh 'op QaSDaj
He is luring you forward.
bIDuvmeH Dutlhu'moHlI'.
If his soldiers lean on their weapons
nuHmeyDaq Qutlh'eghchugh neghDaj
They are hungry.
ghung.
If the bearers of water drink first
bIQ lutlhutlhchugh bIQ qengwIpu' lutlhutlhpa' latlh
They are thirsty.
'oj.
If he sees an opportunity
'eb leghchugh jagh
Yet does not act on it
ach 'ebvam jon 'e' nIDbe'chugh
He is exhausted.
Doy'qu'.
If birds gather above his campsite
raQDaj DungDaq ghomchugh bo'Deghmey
He has gone.
tlheDpu' jagh.
If there are shouts in the night
qaStaHvIS ram SaQlu'chugh
The enemy is frightened.
vay' Haj jagh.
If his troops are unruly
ngIjchugh QaSDaj
The enemy general is not respected.
jagh Sa' vuvbe'lu'.
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33
If his flags and pennants are shifting about
lurgh law'Daq joqwI'Daj DeghDaj je lughoSmoHlu'chugh
The enemy is in chaos.
mIS SIQ jagh.
If the enemy officers are irritable
berghchugh jagh yaSpu'
They are weary.
Doy'chu'.
If they feed grain to their horses
Sarghchaj je'meH bIHvaD tIr lunobchugh
And their soldiers eat meat,
'ej Ha'DIbaH Sopchugh neghchaj,
If they do not hang up their pots,
'unmeychaj HuSbe'chugh,
And do not return to the camp
'ej raQ lucheghbe'chugh
Their situation is critical.
qabqu' Dotlhchaj.
If the enemy soldiers whisper together in small groups
ja'chuqmeH nItebHa' tlhupchugh jagh negh ghommey mach
He has lost their trust.
ghaH voqbe'choH.
If the enemy gives out too many rewards
pop 'Iq nobchugh jagh
He is in trouble.
Seng SIQ.
If he metes out too many punishments
jIp 'Iq nobchugh jagh
He is in distress.
Sot.
If he is tyranical,
wIHchugh jagh,
Then fears his people,
ghIq nuvpu'Daj Hajchugh,
He is inept.
tlhIb.
If the enemy's envoys come with offerings
pawchugh jagh 'oSwI'pu' 'ej nobmey qemchugh
He needs to rest.
leSnIS jagh.
If an angry enemy confronts you
DuqaDtaHchugh jagh QeH
For an extended time
qaStaHvIS poH nI'
Yet he neither engages you
'ach DughobchoHbe'chugh,
Nor withdraws
HeDbe'chugh je
You must investigate the situation thoroughly.
ghu' DanuDnISchu'.
In war
Qojlu'taHvIS
Sheer numbers do not give the advantage.
law'mo' neH vay' DotlhDaj Dubbe'.
Do not advance relying on the military alone,
bIDuvtaHvIS QI' neH yIwuvQo',
Concentrate your strength,
HoSlIj yIghomHa'Qo',
Assess your enemy well,
jaghlI' yInoHchu',
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
And win the support of your people:
nuvpu'lI' ngaq yISuq:
It is enough.
bIQapmeH yap.
Yet if you have no plans
'ach Dup nabmey DaHutlhchugh
And underestimate the enemy
'ej jagh DanoHHa'chugh
You will certainly be captured by him.
Dujonbej jagh.
If you punish your troops
QaSlIj DabIjchugh
Before they become loyal
matlhchoHpa' QaS
They will be disobedient
vaj lobbe'
And difficult to use.
'ej lo'meH QatlhchoH.
If you do not punish troops
QaS DabIjbe'chugh
After they have become loyal
matlhchoHpu'DI' QaS
They will become useless.
vaj lo'laHbe'.
If you command them with kindliness,
Dara'taHvIS pung Dalo'chugh
If you control them with forcefulness,
DaSeHtaHvIS HoS Dalo'chugh
You will have certain victory.
vaj yay Dachavbej.
When instructing the troops
QaS DaghojmoHtaHvIS
Always enforce your commands
Dara'DI' reH DalobmoHchugh
And your troops will submit.
vaj HeQ QaS.
If you don't enforce your commands
Dara'DI' Dalobbe'moHchugh
When instructing the troops
QaS DaghojmoHtaHvIS
They will not submit.
vaj HeQbe' QaS.
If the commander's orders are always enforced
ra'DI' ra'wI' reH QaS lobmoHchugh
There is mutual trust between him and his troops.
vaj voqchuq ghaH QaSDaj je.
34
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
35
Chapter ten:
Forms of Terrain
'ay' wa'maH:
yav Seghmey
Sun Tzu said:
jatlh SunchI':
These are the forms of terrain:
yav Seghmeyvam lutu'lu':
Accessible terrain,
waQbe'bogh yav,
Entrapping terrain,
vonbogh yav,
Standoff terrain,
mevmoHbogh yav,
Confining terrain,
weghbogh yav,
Steep terrain,
SaSHa'qu'bogh yav,
Distant terrain.
Hopbogh yav.
The terrain both we and the enemy can traverse freely
maHvaD jaghvaD je ngeDchugh yavDaq jaH/ghoSmeH Qu'
Is called accessible terrain.
waQbe'bogh yav ponglu'.
On accessible terrain
waQbe'bogh yavDaq
First take position on the heights
bIpawDI' Daq jen yIDan,
And on the sunny side,
Dop wov yIDan
Establish secure supply routes,
jo HIjlu'meH He QobHa' tIcher,
And an engagement will be to your advantage.
vaj bIghobchugh DotlhlIj Dub may'.
Terrain on which advance is easy,
ngeDchugh yavDaq DuvmeH Qu',
Withdrawal difficult,
Qatlhchugh yavvo' HeDmeH Qu',
Is called entrapping terrain.
vonbogh yav ponglu'.
On entrapping terrain
vonbogh yavDaq
If the enemy is unprepared
ghobrupbe'chugh jagh
Advance and defeat him.
vaj yIDuv 'ej yIjey.
But if he is prepared,
'ach ghobrupchugh jagh,
And you advance and are defeated
'ej bIDuvDI' Dajeylu'chugh
You will find it hard to go back.
vaj SoHvaD QatlhchoH cheghmeH Qu'.
If you fight you will be in trouble.
bISuvchugh bISot.
The result will not be to your advantage.
vaj DotlhlIj Dubbe' wanI'.
The terrain on which both we and the enemy
yavDaq maDuvchugh qoj Duvchugh jagh
Find it disadvantageous to advance
Dotlhmaj 'arghmoH wanI', jagh Dotlh 'arghmoH je,
Is called standoff terrain.
mevmoHbogh yav ponglu'.
On standoff terrain,
mevmoHbogh yavDaq
If the enemy tries to lure you out
bIDuvmeH Datlhu'moH 'e' nIDchugh jagh
Do not emerge.
yIDuvQo'.
Quit your position.
DaqlIjvo' yItlheD.
Withdraw and lure the enemy out.
yIHeD 'ej DuvmeH jagh yItlhu'moH.
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Only when half his troops have emerged
Duvta'chugh bID QaSDaj neH
Can you strike to your advantage.
bIHIvmo' DuQapmoH ghu'.
On confining terrain
weghbogh yavDaq
If you occupy it first
Danpa' jagh DaDanchugh SoH
Block the entryways
DInmey tIbot
And wait for the enemy.
'ej jagh yIloS.
If the enemy occupies it first
DaDanpa' Danchugh jagh
And blocks the entryways
'ej DInmey botchugh
Do not pursue him.
vaj yItlha'Qo'.
If he does not block them
botbe'chugh
Pursue him.
vaj yItlha'.
On steep terrain
SaSHa'qu'bogh yavDaq
If you occupy it first
Danpa' jagh DaDanchugh SoH
Hold on to the heights
Daq jenDaq yIratlh,
And the sunny side
Dop wovDaq yIratlh,
And await the enemy.
'ej jagh yIloS.
If the enemy occupies it first
DaDanpa' Danchugh jagh
Quit your position.
DaqlIjvo' yItlheD.
Withdraw and do not pursue him.
yIHeD 'ej yItha'Qo'.
On distant terrain
Hopbogh yavDaq
When your strengths are equally matched
rapchugh HoSlIj jaghlI' HoS je.
It is difficult to provoke battle
Qatlh jagh ghobmoHmeH Qu'
And the engagement will not be to your advantage.
'ej bIghobchugh DotlhlIj Dub may'.
These are the six ways of using terrain.
yav lo'lu'meH jav mIwmeyvam lupablu'.
It is the general's duty to examine them carefully.
Qu'Daj ta'meH bIH nuDnIS Sa'.
Some armies take flight,
Haw' 'op mangghom,
Some are impotent,
vaQHa' 'op mangghom,
Some go into decline,
SabchoH 'op mangghom,
Some suffer collapse,
DejchoH 'op mangghom,
Some sink into chaos,
mISqu'choH 'op mangghom,
Some get beaten.
'op mangghom lujeylu'.
These six are not natural disasters
'u' Qughmey bIHbe' jav wanI'vam'e'.
They are the fault of the general.
qaSchugh pIch ghaj Sa'.
36
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
If the strategic position of the two sides is almost the same
tlhoS rapchugh cha' gholpu' Dup Dotlh
Yet one army is ten times as strong as the other
'ach wa'maHlogh nIvchugh wa' mangghom HoS
One army will take flight.
vaj Haw' wa' mangghom.
If the troops are strong but the officers weak
HoSchugh QaS 'ach pujchugh jaS
The army will become impotent.
vaj vaQHa'choH mangghom.
If the officers are strong but the troops are weak
HoSchugh yaS 'ach pujchugh QaS
The army will decline.
vaj SabchoH mangghom.
If the ranking officers are angry and insubordinate,
QeHchugh yaSpu' nIv 'ej ra'wI' lobbe'chugh,
If on encountering the enemy
jagh ghomDI'
They charge into battle out of hatred
muSmo' ghobchoHchugh
Unauthorized,
ghobchoH 'e' luchaw'be'lu'chugh
Their general cannot know the strength of his army
vaj mangghomDaj HoS SovlaHbe' Sa'
And the army will collapse.
'ej DejchoH mangghom.
If the general is weak and lax,
pujchugh Sa' 'ej Sun SaHbe'chugh
If his orders are not clear,
ra'DI' mISmoHchugh,
If the officers and troops lack fixed assignments,
Qu'mey ru'Ha' Hutlhchugh yaS, QaS je,
If their formation is slovenly
ghIHchugh may'morghchaj
The army will sink into chaos.
mISchoH mangghom.
If a general is unable to assess the enemy
jagh chovlaHbe'chugh Sa'
And sends a small force against a large one,
'ej HoS tIn ghobmeH HoS mach ngeHchugh,
Weak troops against strong ones,
QaS HoS ghobmeH QaS puj ngeHchugh,
If he fails to select proper vanguard
'et HoS wIvchu'be'chugh
The army will get beaten.
vaj mangghom jeylu'.
These are the six circumstances that lead to defeat.
jav wanI'meymo' vay' jeylu'.
It is the general's duty to examine them carefully.
Qu'Daj ta'meH Sa' bIH nuDnIS.
The form of terrain is the soldiers' ally.
negh boQwI' 'oH yav Segh'e'.
Assessing the enemy,
jagh chovmeH Qu',
Creating conditions for victory
yay wanI' qaSmoHmeH Qu',
Analysing difficulties, hazards and distances:
qay'wI'mey, Qobmey, chuqmey je pojmeH Qu':
This is the way of the superior general.
Sa' nIv Dachugh vay' mIwvam pablu'.
37
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Those who know this
Sovvam ghajchugh vay'
And employ this knowledge in battle
'ej ghobtaHvIS lo'chugh
Are certain to win.
Qapbej.
Those who do not know this
Sovvam ghajbe'chugh vay'
And do not employ this knowledge in battle
'ej ghobtaHvIS lo'be'chugh
Are certain to suffer defeat.
jeylu'bej.
If the battle is sure to bring victory
ghoblu'mo' Qaplu'bejchugh
Yet the ruler forbids engagement
'ach ghoblu' 'e' tuchchugh che'wI'
You should fight.
vaj SuvnISlu'.
If the battle is sure to bring defeat
ghoblu'mo' lujlu'bejchugh
Yet the ruler orders engagement
'ach ghoblu' 'e' ra'chugh che'wI'
You should not fight.
vaj Suvbe'nISlu'.
If a general advances without seeking fame,
Duvchugh Sa' 'ach naD pIHbe'chugh,
If he retreats without evading blame,
HeDchugh Sa' 'ach pIch junbe'chugh,
If protecting his people and serving his lord
nuvpu'Daj Qan 'ej joHDaj toy'
Are his only goals
'e' nIDchugh neH
He is the treasure of the realm.
vaj Sep lo'laHwI''a' ghaH.
If he regards his troops as his children
puqDaj 'oHlaw'chugh QaSDaj'e'
They will be ready to go with him
vaj ngech tInqu'Daq jaHchugh Sa'
Into the deepest valley.
ghaH tlhejrup QaSDaj.
If he regards his troops as his loved ones
bangDaj 'oHlaw'chugh QaSDaj'e'
They will be ready to die by his side.
vaj ghaH tlhejrup 'ej Hegh Heghrup je QaSDaj.
If he is kind to his troops
QaSDaj QIHHa'chugh Sa'
But unable to use them,
'ach lo'laHbe'chugh,
If he loves them
muSHa'chugh
But cannot command them,
'ach ra'laHbe'chugh,
If they are unruly
Sun qImHa'chugh QaS
And he cannot control them,
'ej ghaH SeHlaHbe'chugh
They will become like arrogant children
vaj puq nguq rurchoH QaS
And useless.
'ej lo'laHbe'choH.
If I know that my troops can attack
HIvlaH QaSwIj 'e' vISovchugh
But do not know that the enemy cannot be attacked
'ach DuHbe' jagh HIvmeH Qu' 'e' vISovbe'chugh
I have only half a chance to gain victory.
QapmeH bID 'eb neH wIghaj.
38
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
If I know that the enemy cannot be attacked
DuHbe' jagh HIvmeH Qu' 'e' vISovchugh
But do not know that my troops are unable to attack
'ach HIvlaHbe' QaSwIj 'e' vISovbe'chugh
I have only half a chance to gain victory.
QapmeH bID 'eb neH wIghaj.
If I know that the enemy is open to attack
DuH jagh HIvmeH Qu' 'e' vISovchugh,
And I know that my troops can attack
HIvlaH QaSwIj 'e' vISovchugh
But do not know the terrain is not suitable for combat
'ach may'vaD lI'be' yav 'e' vISovbe'chugh
I have only half a chance to gain victory.
QapmeH bID 'eb neH wIghaj.
When esperts in warfare make a move
ruchDI' veS po'wI'
They never get confused.
not mISlu'
When they take action
vangDI' veS po'wI'
Their resources are limitless.
joDaj vuSbe'lu'.
Thus it is said:
vaj jatlhlu':
Know the enemy
jaghlI' DaSovchugh,
And know yourself
bISov'eghchugh je,
And your victory will not be at risk.
vaj yaylIj Qanlu'.
Know the terrain
yav Segh DaSovchugh,
And know the natural conditions
puH wanI' DaSovchugh je,
And your victory will be complete."
vaj yaylIj naQmoHlu'.
39
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Chapter eleven:
Nine Varieties Of Ground
'ay' wa'maH wa':
Hut yav Sarmey
Sun Tzu said:
jatlh SunchI':
When employing troops
QaS lo'lu'taHvIS
The varieties of ground include
yav Sarmeyvam lutu'lu':
Scattering ground,
ghomHa'moHbogh yav,
Light ground,
ngeDbogh yav,
Contentious ground,
ghoHmoHbogh yav,
Open ground,
Huvbogh yav,
Connecting ground,
rarbogh yav,
Heavy ground,
Saghbogh yav,
Difficult ground
'eSbogh/Qatlhbogh yav,
Confining ground
weghbogh yav,
Deadly ground.
HeghmoHbogh yav.
If the lord of the clan fights in his own territory
yerDajDaq Suvchugh tuq joH
It is scattering ground.
ghomHa'moHbogh yav 'oH.
If he has slightly penetrated the enemy territory
loQ jagh yer 'elpu'chugh
It is light ground.
ngeDbogh yav 'oH.
If a land can bring benefit to us
Dotlhmaj DublaHchugh puH,
And to the enemy,
jagh Dotlh DublaHchugh je,
It is contentious ground.
ghoHmoHbogh yav 'oH.
If the land allows freedom of passage to us
tlhetlhmaj botbe'chugh yav
And and to the enemy
jagh tlhetlh botbe'chugh je
It is open ground.
Huvbogh yav 'oH.
If the ground is enclosed by three states
yav luDechchugh wej Sepmey,
And the first state to gain control over it
'ej yavvam SeHchoHDI' wa' Sep
Will rule over the whole empire
wo' Hoch che'chugh,
It is connecting ground.
rarbogh yav 'oH.
If an army had gone deeply into the enemy's territory
jagh yer qoDna' 'elqu'chugh mangghom
And has many hostile cities at its back
'ej 'oH 'emDaq jagh vengmey law' lutu'lu'chugh
This is perilous ground.
Qob yav 'oH.
If there are mountains and forests,
ngemmey HuDmey je lutu'lu'chugh,
Natural barriers
ghor waQwI'mey Sar [N] lutu'lu'chugh,
40
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
41
Wetlands and swamps,
yotlh yIQ yotlh SubHa' je (Cf.7) lutu'lu'chugh,
Paths hard to travel,
lengmeH Hemey ngeDHa' [N] lutu'lu'chugh,
This is difficult ground.
Qatlhbogh yav 'oH.
If the terrain can be entered
Daq 'ellu'meH
Through a constricted entryway,
DIn Qey veghnISlu'chugh,
Retreated from
yoSvo' mejlu'meH
By a twisting pathway,
SIHqu'bogh He ghoSnISlu'chugh,
The terrain where our large force
DaqDaq HoSmaj tIn
Can be attacked by a small enemy force
HIvlaHchugh jagh HoS mach,
This is confining ground.
weghbogh yav 'oH.
The terrain on which
DaqDaq
You have to struggle hard to survive,
taHlu'meH pe'vIl ghobnISlu'chugh,
If without struggle you perish
ghobbe'lu'DI' Heghlu'chugh
Is deadly ground.
HeghmoHbogh yav 'oH.
On scattering ground do not do battle.
ghomHa'bogh yavDaq yIghobQo'.
On light ground do not halt.
ngeDbogh yavDaq yImevQo'.
On contentious ground do not attack.
ghoHmoHbogh yavDaq yIHIvQo'.
On open ground do not get cut off.
Huvbogh yavDaq Dachevlu' 'e' yIchaw'Qo'.
On connecting ground form alliances.
rarbogh yavDaq boq tIchenmoH.
On heavy ground plunder.
Saghbogh yavDaq yIweH.
On difficult ground keep moving.
Qatlhbogh yavDaq yIghoStaH.
On confining ground devise strategems.
weghbogh yavDaq tojmeH tuH tI'ong. cf 8
On deadly ground fight.
HeghmoHbogh yavDaq yISuv.
In ancient times,
tIQDI' bov
Experts in warfare made it impossible
jagh botlaHmo' veS po'wI'
For the enemy's van and rear to reach each other,
SIchchuqlaHbe' jagh 'et, jagh 'o' je,
For his big and small detachments to rely on each other,
wuvlaHbe' jagh negh ghom tIn, jagh negh ghom mach je,
For elite and ordinary troops to help each other,
boQchuqlaHbe' QaS le', QaS motlh je,
For officers and troops to support each other.
QutlhchuqlaHbe' yaS QaS je.
The enemy, once scattered,
jagh ghomHa'lu'DI'
Could not reassemble.
ghomqa'laHbe' jagh.
His troops, once assembled,
jagh QaS ghommoHlu'DI'
Could not form ranks.
may'morgh chenmoHlaHbe' QaS.
If there was some gain to be won
potlh SuqmeH 'eb tu'lu'chugh
Experts in warfare moved.
vaj ruch veS po'wI'.
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
If there was no gain to be won
potlh SuqmeH 'eb tu'be'lu'chugh
They stopped.
vaj mev.
Dare someone ask:
ghel 'e' ngIlchugh vay'
"If the enemy is numerous
<<law'chugh jagh,>>
Well-arrayed,
<<may'morgh chenmoHchu'chugh,>>
Ready to strike,
<<HIvrupchugh,>>
How do I confront him?"
<<chay' vIqaD?>>
I would answer:
vaj jIjang:
"Seize what he values
<<lo'laHwI'Daj Dajonchugh >>
And he will heed you."
vaj DaHeQmoH.>>
Speed is the essence of war.
veS qolqoS 'oH Do'e'.
Take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness.
Suvrupbe'chugh jagh 'eb yIjon.
Go by the routes he has not considered.
Hemey'e' qelbe'bogh jagh tIghoS. [N]
Attack the positions he has left unguarded.
Daqmey'e' 'avbe'bogh jagh tIHIv.
This is the art invasion:
yot mIw'a' 'oH mIwvam'e':
If you deeply penetrate the enemy territory,
jagh jer qoDna' Da'elchugh
And keep your troops united
'ej QaSlIj Datay'moHtaHchugh
The defenders will be unable to defeat you.
vaj nIjeylaHbe' HubwI'.
Care for your troops.
QaSlIj yIQorgh.
Do not wear them out.
tlhoy' yIDoy'moHQo'.
Enrich their spirit.
QaS qa' yIje'.
Build up their strength.
QaS HoS yIrach.
When you move your troops,
QaSlIj DaghoSmoHDI'
When you plan out your strategies
DuplIj DanabDI'
You must be unfathomable.
Dayajbe'qu'nISlu'.
Put your troops in positions from which they can't back off
DaqDaq DoHlaHbe'bogh negh Dalanchugh
And facing death they will not flee.
vaj Hegh qaDDI', Haw'be',
If they are ready to die
Heghrupchugh negh
What can they not achieve?
nuq chavlaHbe'?
Officers and troops will give all their strength.
HoSchaj Hoch lunatlhbej yaS QaS je.
Facing a deadly threat, the soldiers fear nothing.
negh buQchugh Hegh, pagh Haj negh.
Unable to back off, they stand firm.
DoHlaHbe'chugh, 'omchu' negh.
Deep in the hostile land, they cling together.
jagh puH qoDna'Daq tay' negh.
Unable to retreat, they fight.
HeDlaHbe'chugh, Suv negh.
42
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Therefore,
vaj
Uninstructed, they are alert;
ghaH ghojmoHbe'lu' 'ach Dugh,
Unasked, they serve;
ghaH tlhobbe'lu' 'ach toy',
Unobliged, they care;
ghaH raDbe'lu' 'ach SaH,
Unordered, they are loyal.
ghaH ra'be'lu' 'ach matlh.
Prohibit omens,
maQmIgh Har negh 'e' Dabotchugh
Eliminate doubts
Hon negh 'e' DamevmoHchugh,
And they will yours to the death.
vaj wej Heghpa' negh Dutoy'.
The soldiers are not overly rich,
Huch 'Iq ghajbe' negh
Yet they do not detest wealth;
'ach mIp muSbe'.
They do not live long,
nI'be' yInDaj. [N]
Yet they do not detest longevity.
'ach yIn nI' muSbe'.
When the soldiers are ordered to do battle,
ghobchoH negh net ra'DI'
On that day
jajvam
The tears of those seated wet their sleeves,
ba'bogh negh tlhaymey yIQmoH mInDu' bIQ
And the tears of those reclining flood their cheeks.
'ej Qotbogh negh qevpobDu' SoD.
The tears of the sitting soldiers wet their sleeves,
- ba'bogh negh tlhaymey yIQmoH mInDu' bIQ
And the tears of the lying soldiers roll down their cheeks.
- 'ej Qotbogh negh qevpobDu'vo' pum.
But placed in positions from which they can't back off,
'achDaqmeyDaq DoHlaHbe'bogh Dalanchugh
They will have the courage of ancient heroes.
vaj yoH, Subpu' tIQ toDuj ghaj.
43
Therefore, those skilled in warfare
vaj QojmeH po'chugh vay'
Are like the snake that lives on Mount Heng.
Heng HuD Dabbogh ghargh'a''e' rur.
Strike its head, and its tail attacks;
nachDaj muplu'chugh vaj HIv tlhuQDaj.
Strike its tail, and its head attacks;
tlhuQDaj muplu'chugh vaj HIv nachDaj.
Strike its middle, and both head and tail attack.
botlhDaj muplu'chugh vaj nItebHa' HIv nach tlhuQ je.
If you asked
Dare someone ask:
bIghelchugh
ghel 'e'ngIlchugh vay':
"Can soldiers be like that snake?"
<< ghargh'a'vam rurlaH'a' negh?>>
I would answer: "They can."
jIjang: <<rurlaH.>>
The people of Wu and Yueh hate each other,
muSchuq wu Sep nganpu' yuwe Sep nganpu' je
Yet if crossing a river in the same boat,
'ach bIQtIqDaq ghoStaHvIS wa' DujDaq lengchugh
They encountered high winds
'ej SuS'a' ghomchugh
They would help each other like left and right hands.
vaj boQchuq, nIH ghop, poS ghop je rur.
Therefore
meqvammo'
Tying the horses together
nItebHa' Sarghmey lubaghlaH vay'
And burying chariot wheels
'ej Duj rutlhmey lumollaH vay'
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
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Is not enough to prevent soldiers from fleeing.
'ach Haw' negh net botmeH yapbe' ta'meyvam'.
Their courage is made uniform
Hoch mang toDuj nIbmoHlu'
Through the way of commmand.
ra'meH mIwmo'.
Both strong and weak troops are made useful
QaS HoS, QaS puj je lI'moHlu'
Through the proper use of terrain.
ghor Segh lo'lu'chu'mo'.
Therefore,
vaj
Those who are good at using the troops
QaS lo'meH po'chugh vay',
Take soldiers by the hand
mangpu' ghop tlhap
And lead them as if they were one man;
'ej, DevtaHvIS ghaH, wa' nuvHey rur chaH
They cannot but follow.
ghaH lutlha'be'laHbe'.
It is important for a general
Sa' gheSchu'meH vay'
To be calm so he can be inscrutable,
jotnIS vaj peghlaH,
To be upright he can be in control,
maynIS vaj SeHlaH,
To be capable of deceiving his soliders' eyes and ears,
neghDaj mInDu' teSDu' je tojnISlaH
So he can be keep them ignorant.
vaj chaH jIvmoHlaH.
To vary his methods,
mIwmeyDaj SarnISmoH,
To change his strategies
DupmeyDaj choHnIS.
So he can keep the enemy from knowing.
vaj Sov ghaj jagh 'e' botlaH.
To shift his campsites,
raQmeyDaj Daqmey choHnIS,
To take roudabout routes,
Hemey tIq ghoSnIS.
So he can keep the enemy from learning his plans.
vaj nabmeyDaj ghoj jagh 'e' botlaH.
He leads his troops into battle,
may'Daq QaSDaj DevDI' ghaH
Like a man who climbs high and discards the ladder.
Daq jen toSbogh 'ej toSmeH letlh woDbogh nuv'e' rur.
He leads his troops deep into the enemy domain,
jagh yer qoDna'Daq QaS Dev
And releases the trigger.
ghIq chu'wI' rIH/gho vIHmoH.
He burns the boats
bIQ Dujmey meQ
And smashes the cooking pots.
'ej vut'unmey ghor.
He commands his troops like a shepherd herding sheep
QaSDaj ra'DI' Ha'DI'baH QorghwI' Da.
He drives them this way and that;
wa' lurghDaq 'oH Dev, latlh lurghDaq 'oH Dev.
So no one knows where they are going.
vaj ghochchaj SovlaH pagh.
He assembles the troops,
QaS ghommoH,
Forms the army,
mangghom chenmoH,
And throws it into danger.
'ej QobDaq lanmoH.
These are the duties of the general/army's commander.
Sa' Qu'mey bIH Qu'meyvam'e'.
The nine varieties of ground,
Hut yav Sarmey,
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
45
The advantages of defense and offensive maneuvers,
'ebmey'e' qaSmoHbogh HubmeH tuH HIvmeH tuH je
The patterns of human emotions
nuv tIqDu' mIwmey [N]
These matters must be examined carefully.
potlhmeyvam nuDnISlu'chu.
Generally,
motlh
This is the Tao of invasion:
yot mIw'a' 'oH mIwvam'e':
If you have deeply penetrated the enemy territory,
jagh yer qoDna' Da'elpu'chugh
Concentrate your troops;
QaSlIj yItay'moH.
If you have slighty penetrated the enemy territory,
loQ jagh yer Da'elpu'be'chugh
Disperse your troops.
QaSlIj yIghomHa'moH.
If you have left your territory,
yerlIjvo' Damejpu'chugh
And led your troops across the border
'ej veH latlh DopDaq QaSlIj DaDevpu'chugh
You are on cut-off ground.
yavDaq chevlu'pu'bogh SoHtaH.
If the territory can be entered from four sides,
loS Dopmeyvo' yer 'ellaHchugh vay'
You are on connecting ground.
rarbogh yavDaq SoHtaH.
If you have penetrated deeply into the enemy territory,
yav qoDna' Da'elpu'chugh
You are on heavy ground.
Soghbogh yavDaq SoHtaH.
If you have penetrated slightly into the enemy territory,
loQ jagh yer Da'elchugh
You are on light ground.
ngeDbogh yavDaq SoHtaH.
If there are obstacles at the
'emDaq waQwI'mey lutu'lu'chugh
Constricted passes at the front,
tlhopDaq Hemey Qey lutu'lu'chugh
You are on confining ground.
weghbogh yavDaq SoHtaH.
If there is no way out,
DaqlIjvo' bImejlaHbe'chugh
You are on deadly ground.
HeghmoHbogh yavDaq SoHtaH.
On cut-off ground, I give my troops one purpose.
yavDaq chevlu'pu'bogh QaSvaD wa' ngoQ vInob.
On light ground, I keep my troops together.
ngeDbogh yavDaq QaSwIj vItay'moHtaH.
On contentious ground, I hurry my back.
ghoHmoHbogh yavDaq QaSwIj 'o' vImoDmoH.
On open ground, I focus on defense.
Huvbogh yavDaq Hub vIbuS.
On connecting ground, I strengthen our alliances.
rarbogh yavDaq boqmeymaj vIrach.
On heavy ground, I maintain continuity of supplies.
Soghbogh yavDaq Soj vIHIjmoHtaH.
On difficult ground, I keep on moving.
Qatlhbogh yavDaq He vIghoStaH. [ALT]
On confining ground, I block off the entryways.
weghbogh yavDaq DInmey vIbot.
On deadly ground, I show our readiness to die.
Hegh yavDaq maHeghrup 'e' vI'agh.
It is the soldier's nature
mang Duj 'oH Dujvam'e':
To resist when surrounded,
'om mang, Dechlu'DI'
To fight when he cannot avoid it,
Suv mang, 'e' junlaHbe'DI'
To obey orders when in danger.
ra'wI' lob mang, buQlu'DI'.
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
If you don't know the plans of your neighbors
jIlpu'lI' nabmey DaSovbe'chugh
You cannot form alliances with them.
vaj DaboqlaHbe'.
If you don't know the lay of the land:
puH ghor DaSovbe'chugh:
Mountains and forests,
HuDmey, ngemmey je DaSovbe'chugh,
Natural hazards
puH Qobmey DaSovbe'chugh,
Marshes and swamps, (cf 9, 7, 11)
yotlh yIQ yotlh SubHa' je DaSovbe'chugh,
You cannot advance the army. [N as in Chp7]
vaj mangghom DaDuvmoHlaHbe'.
If you don't use local guides
Sung DevwI'pu' Dalo'be'chugh
You cannot take advantage of the terrain. (cf)
'ebmey'e' qaSmoHbogh ghor Segh DajonlaHbe'.
If you don't know even one of these matters
potlhmeyvam'e', wa' DaSovbe'chugh
You cannot command the army of the king.
voDleH mangghom Dara'laHbe'.
If the army of a great king attacks a powerful state,
Sep HoSghaj HIvchugh voDleH nIv mangghom
It does not let the enemy assemble troops,
QaS ghommoH jagh 'e' chaw'be',
It overawes the enemy,
jagh ghIj,
And prevents his allies from joining him.
'ej lumuv boqwI'Daj 'e' bot.
Therefore,
vaj
Do not contend for alliances with other nations.
latlh Sepmey DaboqmeH yI'ovQo'.
Do not foster the power of other nations.
HoSchoH latlh Sepmey 'e' yIchaw'Qo'
Pursue your goals,
ngoQmeylIj Dachav 'e' yInID.
Overawe the enemy,
jagh yIghIj
And you will be able to take the enemy's cities
vaj jagh vengmey DajonlaH
And overthrow his state.
'ej jagh Sep DacharghlaH.
Give out rewards without undue regard for procedures.
pop DanobDI' tlhoy mIw tIqImQo'.
Give out commands without undue regard for precedent.
nuv Dara'DI' tlhoy tIgh ytIqImQo'.
And you can employ the entire army
'ej mangghom Hoch Da'lo'DI'
As if it were one man.
wa' mangHey DarurmoH.
Allot your troops with tasks,
QaSlIjvaD Qu'mey tInob
But do not reveal your plans.
'ach nablIj tIQIjQo'.
Show them the opportunities
QaSlIjvaD 'ebmey tI'ang
But do not reveal the harm.
'ach QIH tI'angQo'.
Place them in the ground of danger
Qob yavDaq Dalanchugh
And they will survive.
Heghbe'.
Lead them into positions of death
Hegh DaqmeyDaq DaDevchugh
And they will stay alive.
yIntaH.
Confronted with ultimate danger
QaS buQchu'DI' Qob'a'
The soldiers can turn defeat into victory.
DotlhDaj choHlaH QaS jeylu'pu'bogh 'ej QaplaH.
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veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
The business of waging war
Qojchu'lu'meH
Lies in the pretence of going with the enemy's intentions
jagh meqmey ma'lu' net ghetnIS.
The business of waging war
Qojlu'taHvIS
Lies in recognizing the enemy's intentions.
jagh meqmey lughovnISlu'.
And going with them.
'ej luma'nISlu’.
The task of the military is
QI' Qu' 'oH Qu'vam'e':
To pretend to accommodate the enemy's intentions
jagh meqmey ma' e' ghetnIS.
Lies in recognizing the enemy's intentions.
jagh meqmey ghovnIS.
And going with them.
'ej ma'nIS
Then, if you concentrate your strength in one direction,
Then, if you focus the forces against him,
Then, if you focus your strength on the enemy,
ghIq, wa' lurchDaq HoSlIj DavangmoHchugh,
ghIq, jagh DabuStaHvIS HoSmey Daghomchugh,
ghIq, jaghDaq HoSlIj Daghomchugh,
You can kill his general from a thousand miles away,
wa' SaD qelI'qam chuqvo' jagh Sa' DaHoHlaH.
This is called
chavvam DelmeH jatlhlu'
Achieving objectives thanks to wits and skill.
vallu'mo' 'ej laH ghajlu'mo' ngoQ luchavlu'.
Sovmo' laHmo' je ngoQ luchavlu'.
Therefore,
vaj
At the start of a war,
taghDI' noH
Close off the borders,
Sep veHmey tISoQmoH
Revoke travel permits
lengmeH chaw'mey tIqIl.
Break communication with envoys.
'oSwI'pu' tIlI'be'choH
Examine your plans in the headquarters
SeHyaH nIvDaq nablIj tInuD
And be ready to execute them.
'ej yIruchrup.
If the enemy opens a door,
lojmIt poSmoHchugh jagh
Rush in
nom yI'el
And first attack what he holds dear.
'ej SIbI' vay''e' SaHqu'bogh ghaH yIHIv.
Do not let him know the time of your attack.
HIvmeH poH DawIvta'bogh yIpegh.
Assess the enemy and adapt to him.
jagh yIchov 'ej jaghmo' yIlIS'eghmoH
And determine the manner of fighting.
'ej SuvmeH mIw nIv yIngu'.
At first
bIruchchoHDI'
Be like a shy maiden;
jaqHa'bogh be' Qup yIDa
And once the enemy opens the door,
'ej lojmIt poSmoHDI' jagh
Be swift like a scurrying rabbit.
nom qetbogh Qa'ghom yIDa.
Then the enemy will be unable to withstand you.
vaj Du'omlaHbe' jagh.
47
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Chapter twelve:
Fire warfare
'ay' wa'maH cha':
qul veS
Sun Tzu said:
jatlh SunchI':
Fire can be used to attack in five ways:
HIvlu'meH vagh qul lo'mey lutu'lu':
One: burning soldiers,
lo' wa': negh meQlu',
Two: burning provisions,
lo' cha': Soj meQlu',
Three: burning transport vehicles and equipment,
lo' wej: lupDuj luch je lumeQlu',
Four: burning munitions,
lo' loS: nuH nIch je lumeQlu',
Five: burning transport routes.
lo' vagh: lupmeH He lumeQlu'.
Using fire requires fuel
qul lo'lu'meH nIn ghajnISlu'
So keep it in readiness.
vaj yImeQbeHmoHtaH.
There is a season for setting fire.
qul chenmoHmeH DIS poH lugh tu'lu'.
There are days for starting fire.
qul taghmoHmeH jajmey lugh lutu'lu'.
The proper season is
lugh DIS poH
When the weather is hot and dry.
tujDI' muD 'ej QaDDI'.
The proper days are
lugh jajmey
When the moon passes through the constellations of
Hov ghommeyvam juSDI' maS:
The Winnow,
tIr yub teqwI',
The Wall,
tlhoy',
The Wing,
telDu',
The Cart.
DujHom.
These are the days when the wind blows.
qaStaHvIS jajmeyvam taH SuS.
When attacking with fire
bIHIvmeH qul Dalo'DI'
Adjust your actions to five possible situations:
vagh ghu'mey DuHmo' mIwlIj yIlIS:
If fire breaks out inside the enemy's camp
jagh raQ qoDDaq taghchugh qul
Respond at once from outside.
SIbI' Hurvo' yIvang.
If fire breaks out but the enemy is calm
taghchugh qul 'ach jotchugh jagh
Wait and do not attack.
yIloS 'ej yIHIvQo'.
Then, when the fire reaches its height,
ghIq, 'aqroS SIchDI' qul,
Move in if you can.
yI'el bI'ellaHchugh.
If not, stay where you are.
bI'ellaHbe'chugh DaqlIj yImejQo'.
If you can set fire outside the enemy's camp
jagh raQ HurDaq qul DachenmoHlaHchugh
Do not wait to set it inside.
qoDDaq DachenmoHmeH yIloSQo'.
Set it when the time is right.
yIchenmoH lughDI' poH.
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veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Set fire upwind.
qul yIchenmoH DuDoHchugh SuS.
Do not attack downwind.
yIHIvQo' DughoSchugh SuS.
The wind that rises during the day lasts long.
pem taghchugh SuS taH.
The wind that rises during the night soon ends. ALT
ram taghchugh SuS tugh mev.
The army must know the five situations in fire warfare
qul veS vagh ghu'mey SovnIS manghom,
And must be able to choose the right time to act.
vangmeH poH lugh wIvnISlaH je.
Those who use fire to aid their attack are clever.
boQ'eghmeH HIvwI' qul lo'chugh val.
Those who use water to aid their attack are powerful.
boQ'eghmeH HIvwI' bIQ lo'chugh HoSghaj.
Water can be used to cut the enemy off
jagh chevlu'meH lI' bIQ
But it cannot be used to deprive him of his supplies.
'ach jagh jo nge'lu'meH lI'be'.
To achieve victory
yay chavchugh vay'
But not take advantage of it
'ach DotlhDaj DubmeH chavvam lo'be'chugh
Is disastrous.
vaj Do'Ha'qu'.
It is a waste of time and resources.
poH jo je natlhqa'pu'.
Thus it is said:
vaj jatlhlu':
The enlightened ruler ponders victory,
yay qel che'wI' jIvHa'.
A fine general takes advantage of it.
Dotlh DubmeH yay lo' Sa' nIv.
If there is nothing to gain do not make a move.
vay' DaSuqlaHbe'chugh yIruchQo',
If you cannot succeed do not use troops.
bIQaplaHbe'chugh QaS yIlo'Qo'.
If there is no danger do not go to war.
Qob tu'be'lu'chugh yIQojchoHQo'.
A ruler cannot raise an army out of anger.
mangghom chenmoHlaHbe' che'wI' QeHmo'.
A general cannot fight a battle out of spite.
may' SuvlaHbe' Sa' qeHmo'.
Move if there is something to gain.
yIruch vay' DaSuqlaHchugh.
Stop if there is nothing to gain.
yImev pagh DaSuqlaHchugh.
Anger can revert to happiness,
QeHchugh vay' Quchqa'laH.
Spite can revert to delight.
qeHchugh vay' belqa'laH.
But a destroyed country cannot return to existence.
'ach Sep Qaw'lu'pu'chugh taHqa'laHbe'.
And dead people cannot return to life.
'ej Heghchugh nuvpu' yInqa'laHbe'.
That is why
meqvammo'
The enlightened ruler is prudent
yep che'wI' jIvHa'.
And the fine general is cautious.
'ej Hoj Sa' nIv.
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veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
This is the way
mIwvammo'
To keep the nation secure
Sep Qanlu'
And to keep the army intact.
'ej mangghom choqlu'.
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veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
51
Chapter thirteen:
Using Spies
'ay' wa'maH cha':
ghoqwI' lulo'lu'
Sun Tzu said:
jatlh SunchI':
Raising an army of one hundred thousand soldiers
wa'bIp negh ghajbogh manghom chenmoHlu'meH
And dispatching it to a distant location
'ej ghoch HopDaq 'oH ngeHu'meH
Places heavy financial burden on the nation,
Sep ghotpu' lurupqu'nISlu',
Calls for large contributions from the clans,
Sep tuqmey lughaqqu'nISmoHlu',
And requires spending one thousand pieces of metal a day.
'ej Hoch jaj wa'SaD baS DeQ lunatlhnISlu'.
It causes upheaval at home and abroad,
wanI'vammo' mISchoH wo', latlh Sepmey je,
It sets people roaming around exhausted,
Dat lengchoH nuvpu' Doy'qu',
It keeps families from managing their affairs.
Qu'meychaj ta'be'choH qorDu'mey.
Two sides may confront each other for many years
chaq [N] qaDchuq cha' QojwI'pu' qaStaHvIS DIS law'
Before a decisive battle is fought on a single day.
wa' jaj Sanchaj SIghchu'bogh may''e' lughobpa'.
If one begrudges bestowing rank
ghotpu' numqangbe'chugh vay',
And rewards of a hundred pieces of metal,
'ej wa'vatlh baS DeQ popmey nobqangbe'chugh,
And thus remains ignorant of the enemy's situation
meqvammo' jagh Dotlh Sovbe'taHchugh
He is utterly cruel.
vaj wIHqu'.
Such a churl is no commander of people,
nuvpu' rawI'na' ghaHbe' Qovpatlhvam'e',
No help to his ruler,
che'wI'Daj boQna' ghaHbe',
No master of victory.
yay pIn'a' ghaHbe'.
Enlightened rulers and wise generals
jIvHa'chugh che'wI' 'ej valchugh ra'wI'
Can move and conquer
vaj vanglaH 'ej charghlaH
And achieve extraordinary success
'ej Qapla' motlhbe' luchavlaH
Because they have foreknowledge.
leSSov lughajmo'.
Foreknowledge cannot be obtained from spirits,
leSSov lunoblaHbe' qa'pu'.
It cannot be revealed by past events,
lu'anglaHbe' qaSpu'bogh wanI'mey.
It cannot be verified by calculations.
lutoblaHbe' pojmey.
Foreknowledge can only come from people,
leSSov luQaylaH nuvpu' neH,
From those who know the enemy's situation.
jagh ghu' luSovbogh nuvpu''e'.
And so five kinds of spies are used:
vaj vagh ghoqwI'pu' Segh lulo'lu':
Native spies,
Sung ghoqwI'pu',
Inner spies,
qoD ghoqwI'pu',
Inverted spies,
yoybogh ghoqwI'pu', [N]
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
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Doomed spies,
HeghnISbogh ghoqwI'pu',
Surviving spies.
taHbogh ghoqwI'pu'.
When these five types of spies are at work together
nItebHa' vumDI' vagh ghoqwI' Seghmeyvam.
Their methods are clandestine.
mIwmeychaj luSovbe'lu'.
This is called "The mysterious web."
wanI'vam DelmeH jatlhlu': <<pat peghqu'>> [N]
It is the ruler's treasure.
che'wI'vaD lo'laHqu'.
Native spies are the enemy's countrymen serving us.
nutoy'bogh jagh Sungpu' chaH Sung ghoqwI'pu''e'.
Inner spies are the enemy's officials serving us.
nutoy'bogh jagh yaSpu' chaH qoD ghoqwI'pu''e'.
Inverted agents are the enemy's own spies serving us.
nutoy'bogh jagh ghoqwI' chaH yoybogh ghoqwI'pu''e'.
Doomed spies are our own spies
ghoqwI'pu'ma' chaH HeghnISbogh ghoqwI'pu''e';
To whom we have leaked false information
chaHvaD De' vItHa' wIja'ta'
And who relay it to the enemy.
ghIq jaghvaD De'vam Qay chaH.
Living spies are the spies who return from the enemy
jaghvo' cheghbogh ghoqwI' chaH taHbogh ghoqwI'pu''e';
With information to report.
maHvaD De' luja'.
Of all who have access to the army's commander
mangghom ra'wI' naw'meH DIb lughajbogh Hoch nuvpu''e',
None are as close to him as the spies.
pagh nuv DIb nIv law' ghoqwI' DIb nIv puS.
Of all rewards,
Hoch popmey'e',
None are as generous as those for the spies.
pagh nuv pop le' law' ghoqwI' pop le' puS.
Of all affairs,
Hoch Qu'mey'e',
None are as confidential as those of the spies.
pagh nuv Qu' pegh law' ghoqwI' Qu' pegh puS.
Those who lack ingenuity and wisdom
valbe'chugh vay' 'ej jIvchugh
Cannot recruit spies.
ghoqwI'pu' muvmoHlaHbe'.
Those who lack humanity and justice
wIHchugh vay' 'ej maybe'chugh
Cannot employ spies.
ghoqwI'pu' toy'moHlaHbe'.
Those who lack cunning and vigilance
'ongbe'chugh vay' 'ej Dughbe'chugh
Cannot get the truth out the spies.
ghoqwI'pu' vItmoHlaHbe'
So secret! So cunning!
peghqu' ghoqwI'pu'! 'ongqu'!
Spies can be put to use everywhere.
Hoch Qu'vaD lI'laHqu'. [N]
If a spy's mission is disclosed
peghHa'choHchugh ghoqwI' Qu'
Before it has begun
wej taghpu'pa'
The spy and those who know of it
vaj ghoqwI' Qu'Daj luSovbogh latlhpu' je
Must be put to death.
luHoHnISlu'.
If you want to strike an army,
mangghom Damup DaneHchugh,
Or attack a city,
veng DaHIv DaneHchugh
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53
Or kill an individual,
nuv DaHoH DaneHchugh
You must first
bIruchpa'
Find out the name of the defending commander,
Hubbogh ra'wI' pong DaSovnIS.
The names of his attendants and aides,
toywI'pu'Daj boQDu'pu'Daj je pongmey DaSovnIS je,
The names of the gate guards and officers.
lojmIt 'avwI'pu' yaSpu' je pongmey DaSovnIS je.
Have your spies seek these details and learn them all.
De'Hommeyvam SammeH ghoqwI'lI' 'ej ghojmeH tIra'.
Seek out the enemy spies who come to spy on us.
nughoqmeH pawbogh jagh ghoqwI' tISam.
Tempt them with benefits,
chaHvaD pop tInob 'ej tItlhu'moH
Instruct them,
tIghojmoH,
Accommodate them.
tIma'.
You can thus obtain and use inverted spies.
vaj yoybogh qhoqwI'pu' DaSuqlaH 'ej Dalo'laH.
Thanks to their knowledge
Sovchajmo'
You can obtain and use native and inside spies.
Sung ghoqwI', qoD ghoqwI' je DaSuqlaH 'ej Dalo'laH.
Thanks to their knowledge
Sovchajmo'
You will know what false information
De' vItHa' DawIvlaH
To feed the doomed spies
'ej HeghnISbogh ghoqwI'pu'vaD Da'anglaH
So they can pass it to your enemy.
vaj jaghvaD De'vam luQaylaH.
Thanks to their knowledge
Sovchajmo'
You can send out the surviving agents
yIntaHbogh ghoqwI'pu' DangeHmeH
At the right time.
poH lugh DawIvlaH.
The ruler must know the affairs of the five kinds of spies
vagh ghoqwI' Seghmeyvam Qu'mey SovnIS che'wI'
This knowledge must come from inverted spies
Sovvam luSuqnIS yoybogh ghoqwI'
So they must be treated generously.
vaj popmey le' HevnIS.
In days of old
qaSDI' bov tIQ
The Shang dynasty arose thanks to lord I Chih,
che'choH Sang tuq'a' yIchIy joHmo', [N]
Who served the house of Hsia.
SIyya tuq toy' ghaH.
The Chou dynasty arose thanks to lord Lu ya,
che'choH cho tuq'a' luya joHmo',
Who served the house of Shang.
Sang tuq toy' ghaH.
Only enlightened rulers and wise generals
jIvHa'chugh neH che'wI', valchugh neH ra'wI'
Who are able to use the brightest spies
'ej qhoqwI'pu' 'ongqu' lo'laHchugh
Will achieve genuine success.
Qapla'na' chavlaH.
Espionage is essential for the military.
QI'vaD 'ut lInDab.
It is what the army depends on to move.
vangmeH manghom 'oH wuv.
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
54
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Chapter eleven:
Nine Varieties Of Ground/ Nine Situations
'ay' wa'maH wa':
Hut yav Sarmey/ Hut ghu'mey
Sun Tzu said:
jatlh SunchI’':
When employing troops
QaS lo'lu'taHvIS
The varieties of ground include
yav Sarmeyvam lutu'lu':
Scattering ground,
ghomHa'moHbogh yav tu'lu',
Border ground,
veH yav tu'lu',
Contentious ground,
ghoHmoHbogh yav tu'lu',
Open ground,
Huvbogh yav tu'lu',
Connecting ground,
rarbogh yav tu'lu',
Perilous ground,
Qob yav tu'lu',
Low-lying ground/Difficult ground [N]
'eSbogh/Qatlhbogh yav tu'lu',
Enclosed ground (C8:4)/Confined/Confining/(Entrapping)
vonbogh/Dechbogh/weghbogh yav tu'lu',
Deadly ground.
HeghmoHbogh yav tu'lu'.
If the lord of the clan fights in his own territory
yerDajDaq Suvchugh tuq joH
This is scattering ground.
ghomHa'moHbogh yav 'oH Daqvam'e'.
If he has slightly penetrated the enemy's territory
loQ jagh yer 'elpu'chugh
This is border ground.
veH yav 'oH Daqvam'e'.
(cf10) The land which both we and the enemy
puH wIDanchugh qoj Danchugh jagh
(cf10) Find it advantageous to occupy.
Dotlhmaj wIDub, DotlhDaj Dub je ghaH.
puH wIDanchugh machep
Danchugh jagh chep je ghaH
wIQapmoHlu' ghaH, QapmoHlu' je.
Dotlhmaj wIDub, DotlhDaj Dub je ghaH.
If a land brings benefit to whoever occupies it,
If a land can bring benefit to both sides,
If a land brings benefit to us and to the enemy,
It is disputed ground.
puHmo' cheplaHchugh Hoch DanwI',
puHmo' Dotlhchaj DublaHchugh Hoch DanwI',
cha' gholpu' chepmoHlaHchugh puH
puHmo' macheplaHchugh, cheplaHchugh je jaghuH
ghoHmoHbogh yav 'oH puHvam'e'.
If a land is accessible to both sides
puH lu'ellaHchugh cha' gholpu'
It is open ground.
Huvbogh yav 'oH puHvam'e'.
-The land where we can come and go
-puHDaq maghoSlaHchugh
-And so can the enemy
ghoSlaHchugh je jagh
-Is open ground.
Huvbogh yav 'oH puHvam'e'.
If a state is enclosed by three other states
Sep luDechchugh wej latlh Sep
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veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
It is connecting ground.
rarbogh yav 'oH Sepvam'e'.
The first state to gain control over it.
yavvam SeHchoHDI' wa' Sep
Will have the support of the whole empire.
Will have the support of the neighboring states.
Will rule over the whole empire.
Sepvam QutlhchoH wo' Hoch.
wo' Hoch che' 'oH.
If an army goes deeply into the enemy's territory
jagh yer qoDna' 'elqu'chugh mangghom
And has many hostile cities at its back
'ej 'oH 'emDaq jagh vengmey law' lutu'lu'chugh
This is perilous ground.
Qob yav 'oH Daqvam'e'.
If there are mountains and forests,
ngemmey HuDmey je lutu'lu'chugh,
Steep ravines,
ngechmey chong lutu'lu'chugh,
Wetlands and swamps,
yotlh yIQ yotlh SubHa' je (Cf.7) lutu'lu'chugh,
Paths hard to travel,
lengmeH ngeDHa'bogh He [N] lutu'lu'chugh,
This is difficult ground.
Qatlhbogh yav 'oH Daqvam'e'.
If a terrain can be entered
yoS 'ellu'meH
Through a constricted entryway,
DIn Qey veghnISlu'chugh,
Retreated from
yoSvo' mejlu'meH
By a twisting pathway,
SIHqu'bogh He ghoSnISlu'chugh,
The terrain where our large force
yoSDaq HoSmaj tIn
Can be attacked by a small enemy force
HIvlaHchugh jagh HoS mach.
This is enclosed /confining ground.
Dechbogh /weghbogh yav 'oH yoSvam'e'.
The terrain on which
yoSDaq
You have to struggle hard to survive
taHlu'meH pe'vIl ghobnISlu'chugh,
If without struggle you perish
ghobbe'lu'DI' Heghlu'chugh
Is deadly ground.
HeghmoHbogh yav 'oH yoSvam'e'.
On scattering ground do not do battle.
ghomHa'bogh yavDaq yIghobQo'.
On border ground do not halt.
veH yavDaq yImevQo'.
On contentious ground do not attack.
ghoHmoHbogh yavDaq yIHIvQo'.
On open ground do not get cut off.
poSbogh yavDaq Dachevlu' 'e' yIchaw'Qo'.
On connecting ground form alliances.
rarbogh yavDaq boq tIchenmoH.
On perilous ground plunder.
Qobbogh yavDaq yIweH.
On difficult ground keep moving.
Qatlhbogh yavDaq yIghoStaH.
On entrapping/ confining ground devise/use strategems.
vonbogh / weghbogh yavDaq tojmeH tuH tI'ong/tIlo'.
On deadly ground fight.
HeghmoHbogh yavDaq yISuv.
In ancient times,
tIQDI' bov
Those skilled in warfare
QojmeH po'chugh vay'
Were able to keep the enemy's van and rear from reaching
SIchchuq jagh 'et jagh 'o' je 'e' botlaH ghaH.
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veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
each other,
Large and small forces from depending on each other,
wuvchuq HoS tIn, HoS mach je 'e' botlaH ghaH.
Elite and ordinary troops from helping each other,
boQchuq QaS le', QaS motlh je 'e' botlaH ghaH.
Officers and troops from supporting each other.
coordinating/communicating with each other.
Qutlhchuq yaS QaS je 'e' botlaH ghaH.
The enemy, once scattered,
jagh ghomHa'moHlu'DI'
Could not reassemble.
ghomqa'laHbe' jagh.
His troops, once assembled,
jagh QaS ghommoHlu'DI'
Could not form ranks.
may'morgh chenmoHlaHbe' QaS
If there was some gain to be won
potlh SuqmeH 'eb tu'lu'chugh
Thosed skilled in warfare would move.
vaj ruch veS po'wI'.
If there was no gain to be won
potlh SuqmeH 'eb tu'be'lu'chugh
They would halt.
vaj mev.
Were someone to ask:
Dare someone ask
ghelchugh vay':
ghel 'e' ngIlchugh vay'
"If the enemy is numerous
<<law'chugh jagh,>>
Well-arrayed,
<<may'morgh chenmoHpu'chu'chugh,>>
Ready to strike,
<<HIvrupchugh,>>
How do I confront him?"
<<chay' vIqaD?>>
I would answer:
jIjang:
"Seize what he loves
"Seize what he dares not to lose
<<vay''e' muSHa'bogh ghaH Dajonchugh >>
<<vay''e' chIlvIpbogh ghaH Dajonchugh>>
And he will heed you."
vaj Dulob/DuqIm.>>
Speed is the essence of war
What counts in war is speed.
veS qolqoS 'oH Do 'e'.
veS potlh 'oH Do 'e'.
bIQojchugh nom yIvang.
bIQojtaHvIS yIlumQo'.
Take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness.
Suvrupbe'chugh jagh 'eb yIjon.
Go by the routes he has not considered.
He'e' qelbe'bogh jagh tIghoS. [N]
Attack the positions he has left unguarded.
Daq'e' 'avbe'bogh jagh tIHIv.
This is the Tao of invasion:
yot mIw'a' 'oH mIwvam'e':
If you go deeply into the enemy territory,
jagh jer qoDna' Da'elchugh
Your army will stay united
wa' Dol Da/tay' mangghomlIj
And the enemy cannot prevail.
'ej QaplaHbe' jagh.
-The deeper you go deep into the enemy territory,
-jagh jer qoD Da'elDI' bIghoStaHchugh
-The more united your troops are
-wa' Dol naQ DachoHtaH QaSlIj
-And the enemy will not prevail.
-'ej Qapbe' jagh.
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= If you go deep into the enemy territory,
=jagh jer qoDna' Da'elchugh
= And keep your troops united
'=ej QaSlIj Datay'moHtaHchugh
= The defenders will be unable to defeat you.
=nIjeylaHbe' HubwI'.
= /Go deep into the enemy territory,
=jagh jer qoDna' Da'elchugh
=/ And keep your troops united
'=ej QaSlIj Datay'moHtaHchugh
=/ And the defenders will be unable to defeat you.
=vaj nIjeylaHbe' HubwI'.
Plunder rich countryside
Hatlh mIp DaweHchugh
And your army will have enough food.
vaj Soj yap ghaj mangghomlIj.
Care for your troops
QaSlIj DaQorghchugh
Do not wear them out
'ej DaQopmoHbe'chugh
(And you will) enrich their spirit
vaj qa'Daj Daje'
(And) build up their strength.
'ej HoSDaj Darach.
Care for your troops.
QaSlIj yIQorgh
Do not wear them out.
yIQopmoHQo'
Enrich their spirit.
QaS qa' yIje'
Build up their strength.
QaS HoS yIrach
When you move your troops,
QaSlIj DaghoSmoHDI'
When you plan out your strategies
DuplIj DanabDI'
Be unfathomable.
ngoQlIj yajbe'nISlu'.
Dayajbe'nISlu'.
- When moving your troops,
QaSlIj DaghoSmoHtaHvIS
- Make your strategies unfathomable.
DuplIj luyajbe'nISlu'.
Throw your troops into places of no escape
DaqDaq DoHlaHbe'bogh neghlIj DalanmoHchugh
And facing deatlh they will not flee.
And they will die before they are defeated.
vaj ghaH qaDDI' Hegh, Heghrup, Haw'qangbe'.
vaj jeylu'pa' Hegh. [N]
Ready to die what can they not achieve?
Heghrupchugh negh vay' chavlaHbe'bogh tu'lu'a'?
Officers and troops will fully give their strength.
HoSchaj natlhrupchu' yaS QaS je.
Thrown into situations of no escape
ghu''e' DoHlaHbe'bogh SIQchugh QaSlIj
Soldiers will die rather than flee.
And they will die before they are defeated.
vaj Hegh 'e' wIv, choS 'e' wIvbe'.
vaj ghaH jeylu'pa' Hegh. [N]
If they are ready to die what can they not achieve?
Heghrupchugh vay' chavlaHbe'bogh tu'lu'a'?
Officers and troops alike will give all their strength.
HoSchaj Hoch natlhbej yaS QaS je.
Facing a deadly threat, the soldiers fear nothing;
negh buQchugh Hegh, pagh Haj negh
Unable to back off, they stand firm.
DoHlaHbe'chugh, 'omchu'
Deep in the hostile land, they cling together.
jagh puH qoDna' ghaHchugh, tay'chu'
Unable to leave, they fight.
mejlaHbe'chugh, Suvchu'.
58
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Therefore,
vaj
Unsupervised, they are alert;
ghaH SeHbe'lu' 'ach Dugh,
Unasked, they carry on;
ghaH tlhobbe'lu' 'ach vang,
Unimpelled, they are faithful;
ghaH raDbe'lu' 'ach matlh,
Unordered, they comply.
Unordered, they are loyal.
ghaH ra'be'lu' 'ach HeQ
ghaH ra'be'lu' 'ach matlh.
Therefore,
vaj
Unsupervised, they are alert;
ghaH SeHbe'lu' 'ach Dugh,
Without being asked, they carry on;
ghaH tlhobbe'lu' 'ach vang,
Without being forces , they are faithful;
ghaH raDbe'lu' 'ach matlh,
Without being ordered, they comply.
Unordered, they are loyal.
ghaH ra'be'lu' 'ach HeQ
ghaH ra'be'lu' 'ach matlh.
Prohibit omens,
maQmIgh tItuch,
Eliminate rumours
joSmey tImevmoH,
And they will fight to the death.
vaj SuvtaH Heghbe'pa' vay'.
The soldiers are not overly rich,
Huch 'Iq ghajbe' negh
Yet they do not detest wealth;
'ach mIp muSbe'.
They do not live long,
nI'be' yInDaj. [N]
Yet they do not detest longevity.
'ach yIn nI' muSbe'.
When the soldiers are ordered to do battle,
ghob negh net ra'DI'
The tears of those seated wet their sleeves,
SaQmo' negh yIQchoH ba'bogh negh tlhaymey
And the tears of those reclining flood their cheeks.
'ej yIQchoH je Qotbogh negh qevpobDu'Daq.
- ba'bogh negh tlhaymey yIQmoH mInDu' bIQ
- 'ej Qotbogh negh qevpobDu' SoD.
The soldiers do not have excessive wealth,
tlhoy mIpbe' negh
Yet they do not hate material riches;
'ach mIp muSbe'.
They do not expect to live long,
yIn nI' 'e' pIHbe' [N]
Yet they do not hate longevity.
'ach yIn nI' muSbe'.
On the day they are ordered to do battle,
ghob negh net ra'DI' jajvam SaQmo'
The tears of the sitting soldiers soak their sleeves,
yIQchoH ba'bogh negh tlhaymey
And the tears of the lying soldiers roll down their cheeks.
'ej yIQchoH je Qotbogh negh qevpobDu'Daq.
- ba'bogh negh tlhaymey yIQmoH mInDu' bIQ
- 'ej Qotbogh negh qevpobDu'Daq pum.
Yet if you throw them into positions of no escape,
'ach ghu''e' DoHlaHbe'bogh SIQchugh QaSlIj
They will have the courage of Chuan Chu or Ts'ao Kuei.
They will have the courage of Kahless or Morath.
They will have the courage of ancient heroes.
[N] Hao p 167
vaj yoH, chu'anchu' chawqey qoj rur.
vaj yoH, qeylIS moratlh je toDuj ghaj.
vaj yoH, Subpu' tIQ toDuj ghaj.
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veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
60
Therefore, those skilled in warfare
vaj QojmeH po'chugh vay'
Are like the (swift striker) snake that lives on Mount Heng.
Heng HuD Dabbogh Do mupwI' ghew'a''e' rur.
Strike its head, and its tail attacks;
nachDaj Damupchugh vaj HIv tlhuQDaj.
Strike its tail, and its head attacks;
tlhuQDaj Damupchugh vaj HIv nachDaj.
Strike its middle, and both the head and the tail attack.
botlhDaj Damupchugh vaj nItebHa' HIv nach tlhuQ je.
If you asked: "Can soldiers be like that snake?"
bIghelchugh: <<ghew'a'vam rurlaH'a' negh?>>
I would answer: "They can."
jIjang: <<rurlaHbej.>>
The people of Wu and Yueh hated each other,
muSchuq wu' Sep nganpu' yuwey Sep nganpu' je
Yet when crossing a river in the same boat,
'ach bIQtIqDaq ghoStaHvIS wa' DujDaq lengDI'
And encountering high winds
'ej SuS'a' ghomDI'
They assisted each other like left and right hands.
jIj, ghop nIH ghop poS je rur.
Therefore, it is not enough
nItebHa' Sarghmey lubaghlu'chugh
To tie the horses together
'ej Duj rutlhmey lumollu'chugh
And bury chariot wheels.
yapbe'.
The Way of organization/command is
It is up to the command
ra'meH pat mIw'a' 'oH mIwvam'e':
To unite their courage,
And to use what's hard and and what' soft
Depending on the principles of Ground.
Depending on the lay of the land.
rapchoH yoHwI' toDuj yoHHa'wI' toDuj je
toDujchaj yItay'moH
lI'choH letwI' tunwI' je
letwI' tunwI' je tIlo'chu'
yav mIw'a' yIlo'.
Make their courage uniform
QaSlIj toDuj yIrapmoH
By the way of commmand.
ra'meH mIwmo':
Make good use of what's hard and and what' soft
letwI' tunwI' je yII'moH
letwI' tunwI' je tIlo'chu'
Thanks to the lay of the land.
yav mIw'a'mo'.
ghor Seghmo'
The way they are commmanded
ra'meH mIwmo'
Makes their courage uniform
yIrapchoH toDujDaj
The lay of the land.
ghor Seghmo'
Makes useful what's hard and and what's soft.
II'choH letwI' tunwI'.
toDujDaj rapmoH ra'meH mIw
letwI' tunwI' jeII'moH ghor Segh
Their courage can be made uniform
negh toDuj rapchoHmoHlaH
Through the way of commmand.
ra'meH mIw
What's hard and and what' soft can be made useful
negh letwI' tunwI' je lI'moHlaH
Through the lay of the land.
ghor Segh
Therefore,
vaj
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Those who are good at using the troops
QaS lo'meH po'chugh vay',
Take them by the hand
ghopDu'Daj tlhap
And lead them as if they were one man;
'ej QaS DevtaHvIS wa' nuv rur QaS
They cannot but follow.
ghaH tlha'be'laHbe'.
61
It is important for a general
To be calm and remote,
upright and disciplined,
And be able to mystify his men's eyes and ears,
keeping them ignorant.
These are the duties of a general:
Sa' Qu' bIH Qu'meyvam'e'
He must be calm so he can be inscrutable,
jotnIS Sa' vaj peghlaH/jotmo' peghnIS
He must be honorable so he can keep control,
quvnIS vaj SeHlaH.
He must be able to deceive his soldiers' eyes and ears,
neghDaj mInDu' teSDu' je tojnISlaH
So he can keep them ignorant.
vaj chaH jIvmoHlaHtaH.
He has to change his methods and plans,
mIwmeyDaj nabmeyDaj je choHnIS.
So he can keep the enemy from knowing.
'ej Sov jagh 'e' bot.
'ej jagh Sovbe'moH.
He has to shift his campsites and takes roudabout routes,
So he can keep the enemy from anticipating.
raQmeyDaj choHnIS 'ej He tIq ghoSnIS.
'ej leSSov Suq jagh 'e' botnIS.
When the general leads his troops into battle,
may'Daq QaSDaj DevDI' Sa'
He is like a man who climbs high and discards the ladder.
Daq jen toSbogh 'ej toSmeH letlh woDbogh nuv'e' rur.
He leads his troops deep into enemy ground,
jagh yav qoD 'elmeH QaS ghaH Dev
jagh yav qoDDaq ghaH Dev
Then releases the trigger.
He burns the boats and smashes the cooking pots.
He commands his troops like a shephard
He commands his troops like a shephard herding sheep
He drives them like sheep this way and that herding sheep;
So no one knows where they are going.
ghIq chu'wI' rIH.
bIQ DujmeymeQ 'ej vut'unmey ghor.
QaSDaj ra'DI' Ha'DI'baH qorghwI' rur.
QaSDaj ra'DI' Ha'DI'baH ghom ghoSbogh QorghwI''e' rur.
wa' lurghDaq latlh lurghDaq ghaH Dev.
vaj ghochchaj SovlaH pagh.
He assembles the troops and forms the army,
QaS ghommoH 'ej mangghom chenmoH
And throws it into danger.
'ej Qob qaD mangghom 'e' ta'.
These are the duties of the general.
Sa' Qu' bIH Qu'meyvam'e'.
The nine varieties of ground,
Hut yav Sarmey,
The advantages of defense and offensive maneuvers,
'ebmey qaSmoHbogh Hub tuH HIv tuH je
The patterns of human emotions
nuv tIqDu' meqmey/nuv meq chutmey
These matters the general must examine/study carefully.
The general must examine/study these matters carefully.
potlhmeyvam nuDnISchu'/ HaDnISchu' Sa'.
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
Generally,
motlh
This is the Tao of invasion:
yot mIw'a' 'oH mIwvam'e':
If troops penetrate the enemy territory deeply,
jagh yer qonDna' 'elpu'chugh QaS
They are unified;
tay'.
If troops do not penetrate the enemy territory deeply,
jagh yer qonDna' 'elbe'chugh QaS
They are scattered.
ghomHa'.
If you have left your territory,
yerlIjvo' DatlheDpu'chugh
And entered the enemy territory
'ej jagh yer Da'elpu'chugh
You are on cut-off ground.
yavDaq chevlu'pu'bogh SoHtaH.
If the territory can be entered from four sides,
loS Dopmeyvo' yer 'ellaH vay' poSchugh yer
You are on connecting ground.
rarbogh yav ponglu'.
If you have penetrated deeply into the enemy territory,
pe'vIl yav Da'elchugh
You are on perilous ground.
yav ponglu'.
If you have penetrated slightly into the enemy territory,
loQ jagh yer 'elchugh
You are on border ground.
veH yav ponlu'.
If there are strongholds at your back
'em DaghoSlaHbe'ghugh
Constricted passes at your front,
machchugh tlhop
You are on entrapping/enclosed/confined ground.
Dechbogh yav ponglu'
If there is no way out,
pagh Daq DaghoSlaHchugh
You are on deadly ground.
HeghmoHbogh yav ponglu'.
On cut-off ground, I give my troops one purpose.
yavDaq chevlu'pu'bogh wa' ngoQ QaSvaD vInob
On border ground, I keep my troops together.
veH yavDaq QaSwIj QaSwIj vItay'moHtaH.
On contentious ground, I hurry my back.
ghoHmoHbogh yavDaq 'em HoSwIj vImoDmoH.
On open ground, I focus on defense.
Huvbogh yavDaq Hubmey vIbuS.
On connecting ground, I strengthen our alliances.
rarbogh yavDay boqmeymay vIrach.
On perilous ground, I maintain continuous supply of
provisions/food supplies.
Qob yavDaq jo vIHIjmoHtaH.
Qob yavDaq Soj vIHIjmoHtaH.
On difficult ground, I press on quickly.
On difficult ground, I keep on moving.
On difficult ground, I advance along the roads.
Qob yavDaq jImoD.
Qob yavDaq jIghoStaH.
Qob yavDaq HeDaq jIDuv.
On entrapping/enclosed/confined ground, I block off the
entryways.
Dechbogh yavDaq tInmey vIbot.
On deadly ground, I insinst we fight to the death.
Hegh yavDaq HeghDaq maSuvchu' 'e' vIqap.
Therefore, the nature of the soldier is:
DujDaj lob mang:
To defend when surrounded,
ghaH Dechlu'DI' Hub'egh
To fight hard when there are no other alternatives,
latlh DuHmey HutlhDI'/ DoHlaHbe'DI' pe'vIl Suv
To follow commands when in danger.
buQlu'DI' ra'wI' lob.
If you don't know the plans of the neighboring rulers
jIl Sepmey che'wI'pu' nabmey DaSovbe'chugh
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veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
You cannot form alliances with them.
vaj DaboqlaHbe'.
If you don't know the lie of the land:
puH ghor DaSovbe'chugh
Mountains and forests
HuDmey, ngemmey je DaSovbe'chugh,
Natural hazards
puH Qobmey DaSovbe'chugh
wetlands and swamps (cf 9, 7, 11)
yotlh yIQ yotlh tun je DaSovbe'chugh
You cannot advance the army.
vaj mangghom DaDuvmoHlaHbe'.
If you don't use local guides
Sung DevwI'pu' Dalo'be'chugh
You cannot use the terrain to your advantage.
bIQapmeH yav Dalo'laHbe'.
You cannot take advantage of the terrain.
'eb'e' qaSmoHbogh yav DajonlaHbe'.
A general who does not know even one of these matters
potlhmeyvam wa''e' Sovbe'chugh Sa'
Cannot command the army of the king.
voDleH mangghom ra'laHbe'.
When the army of a great king attacks a large state,
Sep tIn HIvchugh voDleH nIv mangghom
It prevents the enemy from assembling troops.
It does not allow the enemy to assemble troops.
QaS ghommoH jagh 'e' bot.
QaS ghommoH jagh 'e' chaw'be'.
Its power overawes the nation,
jagh roghvaH ghIjchugh mangghom HoSDaj
Alliances cannot be sustained.
taHlaHbe' boqmey.
- Its power overawes the nation
- and undermines his alliances
-roghvaHDaj ghIjchugh mangghom HoSDaj
-boqmeyDaj chenHa'moH
Therefore,
vaj
He does not contend for alliances with other nations.
latlh Sepmey boqmeH 'ovbe'.
He does not foster the power of other nations.
latlh Sepmey HoSmoH lu'be'.
Those who pursue their aims,
ngoQmey chav 'e' nIDchugh vay'
And overawes the enemy,
'ej jagh ghIjchugh
Can take the enemy's cities
vaj jagh vengmey jonlaH
And overthrow his state.
And subjugate his state.
'ej jagh Sep charghlaH.
'ej jagh Sep ghatlhlaH.
Give out rewards without regard for laws.
popmey DanobDI' chut tIbuSHa'.
Give out commands without regard for procedures.
nuvpu' Dara'DI' mIwmey tIbuSHa.'
Employ the whole army as if it were one man.
mangghom Da'lo'DI' wa' nuv yIrurmoH.
Allot your troops with tasks,
QaSlIjvaD Qu'mey tInob
But do not reveal/eplain your plans.
'ach nablIj tI'angQo'/ tI'QIjQo'.
Get your troops to face danger,
QaSlIjvaD Qob
But do not reveal/explain the advantages.
'ach 'ebmey tI'angQo'/ tI'QIjQo'.
-Show them the opportunities
-But do not reveal/explain the danger.
QaSlIjvaD eb'mey tI'ang
'ach Qob yI'angQo'/ yI'QIjQo'.
Throw them into an ominous place and they will survive.
buQbogh DaqDaq Dalanchugh vaj taH.
Throw them into a deadly place and they will live.
HeghmoHbogh yavDaq Dalanchugh vaj yIntaH.
Only if the troops are confronted with danger
QaS buQDI' neH Qob
Can they turn defeat into victory.
vaj QaS jeylu'DI' QapchoHlaH.
63
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
64
The concern of warfare is
This is the crux of warfare:
The task of the military is:
veS Qu' 'oH:
veS potlh 'oH:
Qu'vam ta'nIS QI':
To recognize the enemy's intentions.
jagh ngoQ lughovnISlu'.
To focus the forces against him,
jagh qaDmeH HoS lughomnISmoHlu'
To kill his general a thousand li away,
jagh Sa' HoHnISlu'
jagh Sa' HoHmeH wa' SaD qelI'qam chuq ghoSnISlu'.
This is a skillful accomplishment of the task.
ta'vam luchavlu'DI' vallu''ej po'lu'.
This is called
chavvam DelmeH jatlhlu'
Achieving objectives through wits and skill.
vallu'mo' 'ej laH ghajlu'mo' ngoQ lu'chavlu'.
Sovmo' laHmo' je ngoQ lu'chavlu'.
Therefore,
vaj
On the day war is declared,
When the war breaks out,
taghDI' noH
Close off the borders,
Destroy the passes,
Cancel the agreements,
Withdraw from the treaties,
Do not let the envoys pass through.
Break communication with envoys.
Examine your plans in the temple
Examine your plans in the headquarters
Sep veHmey tIpoSHa'moH
lengmeH chaw'mey tIQaw.
rommeylIj tIqIl.
mabmeylIj tIchenHa'moH
'el jagh 'oSwI' 'e' yIchaw'Qo'.
'oSwI' tIQumbe'choHmoH
chIrghDaq nablIj tInuD
yo'SeH yaHnIvDaq nablIj tInuD
'ej yIruch/yIchavchoH.
And bring about the execution of those plans.
If the enemy presents an opportunity,
If the enemy opens a door,
'eb qaSmoHchugh jagh
lojmIt poSmoHchugh jagh
Take advantage of it.
Rush in
'ebvam tIjon.
SIbe' yIvegh.
First attack what holds dear.
bIruchchoHDI' vay''e' SaHqu'bogh ghaH yIHIv.
Do not advance on any fixed day or time;
DuvmeH poH DawIvta'bogh yIpegh.
calculate and adapt to the enemy
jagh yIpoj 'ej jaghmo' yIlIS'eghmoH
to determine the matter of doing battle.
may' ghobmeH mIw nIv yIngu'..
Therefore,
vaj
At first be like a maiden;
bIruchchoHDI' be' Qup yIrur.
And once the enemy opens the door,
lojmIt poSmoHDI' jagh
Be like a scurrying rabbit.
qetbogh Qa'ghom yIrur.
The enemy will be unable to prevail/resist you.
vaj Du'omlaHbe' jagh.
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
65
veS mIw qonta' SunchI'/Master Sun's Warfare procedures/ The Art of War by Sunzi
1.
Making assessments
chovlu'
2.
Waging war
Qojlu'
3.
Offensive strategy
HIvmeH Dup
4.
Formation
may'morgh chenmoHlu'
5.
Might
Forces
HoS
HoSmey
6.
Vacuity and substance
Weakness and strength
ngaSlu' 'ej ngaSHa'lu'
chImlu'wI' 'ej Sublu'
pujlu' 'ej HoSlu'
7.
Armed conflict
QI' yol
8.
Nine transfigurations
contigencies
Changing conditions
Adapting to nine contigencies
Adapting to conditions
Adapting to change
Hut choHmey
Hut DuHmey
choHbogh wanI'mey
Hut DuHvaD lIS'eghlu'
wanI'vaD choH'eghlu'
choHvaD lIS'eghlu'
9.
Advancing the army
Military maneuvers
Army on the march
mangghom DuvmoHlu'
QI' tuHmey
tlhetlh mangghom
10.
Forms of terrain
Lay of the land
yav Seghmey/
ghor Segh/
11.
Nine varieties of ground
Nine situations
Nine types of terrain
Hut yav ghor Sarmey
Hut ghu'
yav Hut Seghmey
12.
Attacking with fire
Attack by fire
Using fire
qul HIv
HIvmeH meQlu'
qul lo'lu'
13.
Espionage
Using spies
lInDab
ghoqwI' lulo'lu'
66