Chapter 3 · Strategic Offense · 謀攻

Passage 3-8

必以全爭於天下, 故兵不頓而利可全, 此謀攻之法也.

He strives to maintain everything intact when contending for dominance. Thus his forces remain unexhausted while securing complete advantage—this is the method of strategic attack.

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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 3-9: The principles of deployment: - Ten to one: Encircle - Five to one: Attack - Two... Passage 3-10: The general is the pillar of the state. If this support is complete, the state i... 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...