Sun Tzu Decoded
Chapter 8 · Nine Changes · 九變

Passage 8-1

孫子曰: 凡用兵之法, 將受命於君, 合軍聚衆.

Sun Tzu said: In warfare, the general receives orders from the sovereign, mobilizes the army, and assembles the forces.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 8-1:

Assessing Advantage Passage 1-9 故校之以七計, 而塞其情. 曰: 主孰有道, 將孰有能, 天... Managing the Many Passage 5-1 孫子曰: 凡治衆如治寡, 分數是也. 鬪衆如鬪寡, 形名是也... Terrain as Ally Passage 10-14 故戰道必勝, 主曰無戰; 必戰可也. 戰道不勝, 主曰必戰,... Know Heaven, Know Earth Passage 10-15 視卒如嬰兒, 故可與之赴深溪; 視卒如愛子, 故可與之俱死.... The Five Fundamental Factors Passage 1-2 故經之以五事, 校之以計, 而索其情. 一曰道, 二曰天, ... Reward and Punishment Passage 9-20 卒未親附而罰之, 則不服, 不服則難用也. 卒已親附而罰不行...

More from Chapter 8: Nine Changes (九變)

Passage 8-2: On difficult ground, do not encamp On intersecting ground, form alliances On iso... Passage 8-3: Some roads should not be traveled Some armies should not be attacked Some cities... Passage 8-4: The general who masters the advantages of the nine variations understands warfar... Passage 8-5: A commander who does not understand the methods of the nine variations cannot ge... Passage 8-6: The wise consider both advantage and disadvantage. By weighing advantage within ... Passage 8-7: Subdue other rulers through harm Employ them through tasks Move them through adv... Passage 8-8: In warfare, do not rely on the enemy not coming—rely on being prepared. Do not r... Passage 8-9: Five dangers for a general: 1. Recklessness—he can be killed 2. Cowardice—he can...