Sun Tzu Decoded
Chapter 7 · Armed Struggle · 軍爭

Passage 7-2

軍爭之難者, 以迂爲直, 以患爲利. 故迂其途, 而誘之以利, 後人發, 先人至, 此知迂直之計者也. 故軍爭爲利, 軍爭爲危.

The difficulty of armed contention is making the circuitous direct and turning adversity into advantage. Take a roundabout route while luring the enemy with bait. Setting out after, arrive before—this is mastering the calculus of the circuitous and direct. Armed contention offers both advantage and danger.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 7-2:

Knowing Terrain Alone Is Not Enough Passage 10-13 夫地形者 兵之助也. 料敵制勝, 計險阨遠近, 上將之道也.... Win First, Then Fight Passage 4-9 故善戰者, 立於不敗之地, 而不失敵之敗也. 是故勝兵先勝,... Making Plans Unknowable Passage 6-16 故策之而知得失之計, 作之而知動靜之理, 形之而知死生之地,... Always Prepare for the Worst Passage 8-6 是故智者之慮, 必雜於利害, 雜於利而務可信也, 雜於害而患... Command Without Numbers Passage 9-19 兵非益多也, 惟無武進, 足以倂力料敵, 取人而已. 夫惟無... Adapting Fire Tactics Passage 12-3 凡火攻, 必因五火之變而應之. 火發于內, 則早應之于外. ...

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 7-3: 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...