Chapter 3 · Strategic Offense · 謀攻

Passage 3-10

夫將者, 國之輔也, 輔周則國必强, 輔隙則國必弱.

The general is the pillar of the state. If this support is complete, the state is strong; if flawed, the state is weak.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 3-10:

More from Chapter 3: Strategic Offense (謀攻)

Passage 3-1: Sun Tzu said: In the art of war, the supreme strategy is to preserve the enemy s... Passage 3-2: To subdue a battalion intact is best; to destroy it is inferior. To subdue a com... Passage 3-3: Therefore, winning a hundred battles out of a hundred is not the height of excel... Passage 3-4: The supreme art of war is: 1. To attack the enemy’s strategy 2. Next, to disrupt... Passage 3-5: Assaulting fortifications is a last resort. Preparing siege towers, battering ra... Passage 3-6: If a general, unable to contain his anger, sends his troops swarming up the wall... Passage 3-7: The master of war subdues the enemy’s forces without battle, takes their fortres... Passage 3-8: He strives to maintain everything intact when contending for dominance. Thus his... Passage 3-9: The principles of deployment: - Ten to one: Encircle - Five to one: Attack - Two... Passage 3-11: There are three ways a ruler brings misfortune upon his army: 1. Ordering advanc... Passage 3-12: Five factors determine victory: 1. Knowing when to fight and when not to fight 2... Passage 3-13: Therefore: - Know the enemy and know yourself—in a hundred battles, never be imp...