Chapter 9 · The Army on the March · 行軍

Passage 9-17

懸缶不返其舍者, 窮寇也. 諄諄翕翕, 徐與人言者, 失衆也. 數賞者, 窘也. 數罰者, 困也.

Hanging pots and not returning to quarters—desperate Earnest, rambling talks with troops—lost their confidence Frequent rewards—in dire straits Frequent punishments—in difficulties

What does this passage really mean for modern strategy?

Ask Sun →

Explore Further

These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 9-17:

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... 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... Making the Enemy Come Passage 6-2 能使敵人自至者, 利之也; 能使敵人不得至者, 害之也. 故... Attacking the Undefended Passage 6-3 出其所不趨, 趨其所不意; 行千里而不勞者, 行於無人之地也... Irresistible Advance Passage 6-4 守而必固者, 守其所不攻也. 故善攻者, 敵不知其所守; 善... Appear Where Unexpected Passage 6-5 微乎微乎, 至於無形; 神乎神乎! 至於無聲, 故能爲敵之司...

More from Chapter 9: The Army on the March (行軍)

Passage 9-1: Sun Tzu said: When positioning the army to observe the enemy: Cross mountains an... Passage 9-2: After crossing rivers, move away from the water. When the enemy crosses toward y... Passage 9-3: If you seek battle, do not confront the enemy near water. Observe the terrain an... Passage 9-4: Cross wetlands swiftly—do not linger. If you must engage in wetlands, position n... Passage 9-5: On level ground, occupy easy terrain with high ground to the right and rear. Pos... Passage 9-6: Armies prefer high ground to low, favor sunlight over shade, nurture life and oc... Passage 9-7: This is how terrain aids the army. When upstream rains cause rushing currents, w... Passage 9-8: When terrain features deep ravines, enclosed basins, natural prisons, tangled un... Passage 9-9: When the army’s flanks have difficult terrain, marshes, reeds, forests, or dense... Passage 9-10: When the enemy is near but quiet—he relies on difficult terrain. When distant an... Passage 9-11: Movement in the trees—the enemy approaches Many obstacles in the grass—suspicion... Passage 9-12: Reading dust: - High and sharp—chariots approaching - Low and wide—infantry appr... Passage 9-13: Humble words with increased preparations—advancing Aggressive words with forcefu... Passage 9-14: Rushing about and arranging chariots—preparing for decisive action Half advancin... Passage 9-15: Water-bearers drinking first—thirsty Seeing advantage but not advancing—exhauste... Passage 9-16: Night cries—fear Camp disturbance—general lacks authority Flags moving erratical... Passage 9-18: First harsh, then fearful of troops—the height of incompetence Arriving with apo... Passage 9-19: Numbers alone do not guarantee victory. Avoid reckless advance. Unite forces, as... Passage 9-20: Punish troops before winning their loyalty—they will not submit; not submitting,... Passage 9-21: When orders are consistently enforced, the troops are trained to obey. When orde...