Chapter 11 · Nine Grounds · 九地

Passage 11-31

夫霸王之兵, 伐大國則其衆不得聚, 威加於敵, 則其交不得合.

When the hegemon’s army attacks a great state, it prevents their forces from massing. When it projects power over the enemy, it prevents their alliances from forming.

The Shuai-Jan serpent of Mount Ch'ang — strike its head and the tail responds, strike its tail and the head responds. The model of organizational responsiveness.

What does this passage really mean for modern strategy?

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 11-31:

Victory Without Fighting Passage 3-3 是故, 百戰百勝, 非善之善者也; 不戰而屈人之兵, 善之善... Preserving the Whole Passage 3-1 孫子曰, 凡用兵之法, 全國爲上, 破國次之; 全軍爲上, ... The Attack Hierarchy Passage 3-4 故上兵伐謀, 其次伐交, 其次伐兵, 其下攻城. Anger Is Not Strategy Passage 12-9 怒可以復喜, 慍可以復悅, 亡國不可以復存, 死者不可以復生... Baiting the Enemy Passage 5-8 故善動適者, 形之, 適必從之; 予之, 適必取之; 以利動... Full Spectrum Knowledge Passage 10-17 故知兵者, 動而不迷, 擧而不窮. 故曰: 知己知彼, 勝乃...

More from Chapter 11: Nine Grounds (九地)

Passage 11-1: Sun Tzu said: In the art of war, there are nine types of ground: dispersive, mar... Passage 11-2: When fighting in one’s own territory—dispersive ground.... Passage 11-3: When penetrating enemy territory but not deep—marginal ground.... Passage 11-4: Ground advantageous for either side—contentious ground.... Passage 11-5: Ground accessible to both—open ground.... Passage 11-6: Ground bordering three states, where first arrival gains support—intersecting gr... Passage 11-7: Deep in enemy territory with many fortifications behind—critical ground.... Passage 11-8: Mountains, forests, obstacles, wetlands—difficult to traverse—difficult ground.... Passage 11-9: Narrow entrance, circuitous exit, where few can strike many—surrounded ground.... Passage 11-10: Fight immediately and survive; hesitate and perish—deadly ground.... Passage 11-11: Therefore: - Dispersive ground: Do not fight - Marginal ground: Do not halt - Co... Passage 11-12: The ancient masters of war could make the enemy’s front and rear unable to suppo... Passage 11-13: Asked: “If a large, organized enemy approaches, how should we meet them?” Answer... Passage 11-14: In deep invasion, forces unite and the defender cannot overcome. Plunder rich fi... Passage 11-15: Deploy troops strategically, making plans impenetrable. Place them where there i... Passage 11-16: When deeply trapped, soldiers lose fear. When there is nowhere to go, they stand... Passage 11-17: Thus, troops are alert without instructions, obtain what is needed without deman... Passage 11-18: Our officers have no surplus wealth—not because they dislike riches. They expect... Passage 11-19: On the day orders are issued, seated soldiers weep till their collars are wet; l... Passage 11-20: The skilled commander is like the Shuairan—the snake of Mount Chang. Strike its ... Passage 11-21: The people of Wu and Yue despise each other. Yet when crossing a river in the sa... Passage 11-22: Therefore, tethering horses and burying wheels is not enough to rely on. Unifyin... Passage 11-23: The skilled commander leads troops as if guiding a single person—because they ha... Passage 11-24: The general’s affairs must be calm and inscrutable, fair and disciplined. He sho... Passage 11-25: Change tasks, alter plans—keep them unaware. Change encampments, take indirect r... Passage 11-26: When the commander commits troops to decisive action, it is like climbing high a... Passage 11-27: Assembling the army and throwing it into danger—this is the general’s task. The ... Passage 11-28: The way of invasion: deep penetration unifies; shallow penetration scatters. - C... Passage 11-29: Therefore: - Dispersive ground: Unify their will - Marginal ground: Keep them co... Passage 11-30: The nature of soldiers: when surrounded, they defend; when with no choice, they ... Passage 11-32: Therefore, without contesting global alliances or cultivating global power, but ... Passage 11-33: Commit them to tasks—do not explain with words. Engage them with advantage—do no... Passage 11-34: Only when troops are plunged into danger can they turn defeat into victory. The ... Passage 11-35: When war is declared: close the borders, annul passports, block enemy messengers... Passage 11-36: First, seize what they treasure. Keep the timing of decisive engagement hidden. ...