Sun Tzu Decoded
Chapter 1 · Initial Assessments · 始計

Passage 1-5

地者, 遠近, 險易, 廣狹, 死生也.

Earth comprises distances near and far, terrain treacherous or accessible, expanses broad or confined, and ground that determines life or death.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 1-5:

High Ground Passage 9-5 平陸處易, 而右背高, 前死後生, 此處平陸之軍也. 凡此四... Crossing Mountains Passage 9-1 孫子曰: 凡處軍相敵: 絶山依谷, 視生處高, 戰隆無登, ... Entangling Terrain Passage 10-2 我可以往, 彼可以來, 曰通. 通形者, 先居高陽, 利糧道... Stalemated Terrain Passage 10-3 可以往, 難以返, 曰; 掛; 掛形者, 敵無備, 出而勝之... Distant Terrain Passage 10-6 險形者, 我先居之, 必居高陽以待敵. 若敵先居之, 引而去... Accessible Terrain Passage 10-1 孫子曰: 地形有通者, 有掛者, 有支者, 有隘者, 有險者...

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 1-4: Heaven encompasses yin and yang, cold and heat, the cycle of seasons and times.... 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...