Sun Tzu Decoded
Chapter 7 · Armed Struggle · 軍爭

Passage 7-11

軍政曰:「言不相聞, 故爲鼓金. 視不相見, 故爲旌旗.」

The Military Administration states: “When words cannot be heard, use drums and gongs. When signals cannot be seen, use flags and banners.”

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 7-11:

Sealing Enemy's Plans Passage 11-36 先其所愛, 微與之期, 賤墨隨敵, 以決戰事. 是故始如處女... The Crossbow Metaphor Passage 5-4 激水之疾, 至於漂石者, 勢也. 鷙鳥之疾, 至於毁折者, ... The Trigger Moment Passage 5-5 是故善戰者, 其勢險, 其節短. 勢如擴弩, 節如發機. Releasing Momentum Passage 5-11 故善戰人之勢, 如轉圓石於千仞之山者, 勢也. Swiftness of Decision Passage 11-35 是故政舉之日, 夷關折符, 無通其使, 厲於廊廟之上, 以誅... Timing and Conditions Passage 12-2 行火必有因, 煙火必素具. 發火有時, 起火有日. 時者, ...

More from Chapter 7: Armed Struggle (軍爭)

Passage 7-1: Sun Tzu said: In military operations, after the general receives orders from the... 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 7-12: 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...