Sun Tzu Decoded
Chapter 1 · Initial Assessments · 始計

Passage 1-4

天者, 陰陽, 寒暑, 時制也.

Heaven encompasses yin and yang, cold and heat, the cycle of seasons and times.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 1-4:

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... Timing and Conditions Passage 12-2 行火必有因, 煙火必素具. 發火有時, 起火有日. 時者, ... Proportional Response Passage 3-8 必以全爭於天下, 故兵不頓而利可全, 此謀攻之法也. Making Victory Inevitable Passage 4-4 善守者, 藏於九地之下; 善攻者, 動於九天之上, 故能自保... Timing of Decision Passage 4-5 見勝, 不過衆人之所知, 非善之善者也. 戰勝, 而天下曰善... Seasonal Awareness Passage 9-8 凡地有絶澗, 天井, 天牢, 天羅, 天陷, 天隙, 必極去...

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 1-2: Therefore, analyze it through five fundamental factors, compare conditions throu... Passage 1-3: The Way means bringing the people into complete accord with their ruler, so they... 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...