Passage 8-5
治兵不知九變之術, 雖知地利, 不能得人之用矣.
A commander who does not understand the methods of the nine variations cannot get the best from his troops, even if he knows the terrain’s advantages.
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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 8-5:
Quiet, Inscrutable, Upright
Passage 11-23
故善用兵者, 攜手若使一人, 不得已也.
Leading Without Destination
Passage 11-26
帥與之期, 如登高而去其梯, 帥與之深, 入諸侯之地而發其機...
Do Not Press a Cornered Enemy
Passage 7-15
故用兵之法, 高陵勿向, 背丘勿逆, 佯北勿從, 銳卒勿攻,...
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...
Deep Penetration
Passage 11-27
聚三軍之衆, 投之於險, 此將軍之事也. 九地之變, 屈伸之...
Control the Troops
Passage 11-33
犯之以事, 勿告以言. 犯之以利, 勿告以害. 投之亡地然後...