Sun Tzu Decoded
Chapter 1 · Initial Assessments · 始計

Passage 1-2

故經之以五事, 校之以計, 而索其情. 一曰道, 二曰天, 三曰地, 四曰將, 五曰法.

Therefore, analyze it through five fundamental factors, compare conditions through strategic calculations, and thereby assess the true situation. The first factor is the Way (Tao); the second is Heaven; the third is Earth; the fourth is Command; the fifth is Doctrine.

The Five Fundamental Factors (五事) that determine victory or defeat: the Way, Heaven, Earth, Command, and Doctrine. The diagnostic framework for all strategic assessment.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 1-2:

Know Enemy, Know Self Passage 3-13 故曰, 知彼知己, 百戰不殆; 不知彼而知己, 一勝一負, ... Terrain as Ally Passage 10-14 故戰道必勝, 主曰無戰; 必戰可也. 戰道不勝, 主曰必戰,... Know Heaven, Know Earth Passage 10-15 視卒如嬰兒, 故可與之赴深溪; 視卒如愛子, 故可與之俱死.... The Five Elements of War Passage 4-10 善用兵者, 修道而保法, 故能爲勝敗之政. Business of the General Passage 11-22 是故, 方馬埋輪, 未足恃也, 齊勇若一, 政之道也; 剛柔... Striking the Empty Passage 5-3 故善出奇者, 無窮如天地, 不竭如江河, 終而復始, 日月是...

More from Chapter 1: Initial Assessments (始計)

Passage 1-1: Sun Tzu said: War is a matter of vital importance to the state—the province of l... Passage 1-3: The Way means bringing the people into complete accord with their ruler, so they... Passage 1-4: Heaven encompasses yin and yang, cold and heat, the cycle of seasons and times.... Passage 1-5: Earth comprises distances near and far, terrain treacherous or accessible, expan... Passage 1-6: Command embodies the five virtues of a general: wisdom, credibility, benevolence... Passage 1-7: Doctrine encompasses organizational structure, chain of command, and logistics m... Passage 1-8: All generals have heard of these five factors. Those who master them will prevai... Passage 1-9: Therefore, assess and compare by means of seven calculations to determine the tr... Passage 1-10: If a ruler heeds my strategies and employs me, victory is certain—I shall stay. ... Passage 1-11: Once advantages are assessed and my counsel accepted, create strategic momentum ... Passage 1-12: Warfare is the Way of Deception. Therefore: - When capable, appear incapable - W... Passage 1-13: Entice with advantage, then strike when confusion reigns Where the enemy is soli... Passage 1-14: Strike where unprepared. Appear where unexpected. This is the strategist’s key t... Passage 1-15: Those who win in the temple calculations before battle have computed many advant...