Sun Tzu Decoded
Chapter 7 · Armed Struggle · 軍爭

Passage 7-1

孫子曰: 凡用兵之法, 將受命於君, 合軍聚衆, 交和而舍, 莫難於軍爭.

Sun Tzu said: In military operations, after the general receives orders from the sovereign, mobilizes troops, and assembles forces, nothing is more difficult than armed contention—maneuvering for advantage.

The difficulty of armed struggle — turning disadvantage into advantage, the indirect into the direct route.

What does this passage really mean for modern strategy?

Ask Sun →

Explore Further

These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 7-1:

First to the Battlefield Passage 6-1 孫子曰, 凡先處戰地而待敵者佚, 後處戰地而趨戰者勞. 故善... Cascading Momentum Passage 11-34 夫衆陷於害, 然後能爲勝敗, 故爲兵之事, 在於順詳敵之意,...

More from Chapter 7: Armed Struggle (軍爭)

Passage 7-2: The difficulty of armed contention is making the circuitous direct and turning a... Passage 7-3: Move the entire army to contend for advantage—you cannot arrive in time. Abandon... Passage 7-4: Therefore, if you roll up armor and race day and night without rest, covering do... Passage 7-5: Racing fifty li for advantage, the lead commander falls, and half arrive. Racing... Passage 7-6: An army without equipment perishes. Without provisions, it perishes. Without sto... Passage 7-7: Without knowing the designs of neighboring rulers, you cannot forge alliances. W... Passage 7-8: Warfare is founded on deception, driven by advantage, and transformed through di... Passage 7-9: Therefore: - Swift as the wind - Silent as the forest - Ravenous as fire - Immov... Passage 7-10: Plunder the countryside to divide spoils among troops. Expand territory to share... Passage 7-11: The Military Administration states: “When words cannot be heard, use drums and g... Passage 7-12: Drums, gongs, flags, and banners unify the eyes and ears of the troops. Once uni... Passage 7-13: In night battles, use many torches and drums. In day battles, use many flags and... Passage 7-14: The army’s spirit (qì) can be seized; the general’s heart can be stolen. Morning... Passage 7-15: Principles of warfare: - Do not advance uphill against the enemy - Do not oppose...