Chapter 9 · The Army on the March · 行軍

Passage 9-18

先暴而後畏其衆者, 不精之至也. 來委謝者, 欲休息也. 兵怒而相迎, 久而不合, 又不相去, 必謹察之.

First harsh, then fearful of troops—the height of incompetence Arriving with apologies—seeking respite Troops angry but neither engaging nor withdrawing—observe carefully

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 9-18:

Collapse Passage 10-10 大吏怒而不服, 遇敵懟而自戰, 將不知其能, 曰崩. Insubordination Passage 10-9 夫勢均, 以一擊十, 曰走. 卒强吏弱, 曰弛. 吏强卒弱,... Ruin Passage 10-11 將弱不嚴, 敎道不明, 吏卒無常, 陳兵縱橫, 曰亂. Know Enemy, Know Self Passage 3-13 故曰, 知彼知己, 百戰不殆; 不知彼而知己, 一勝一負, ... Invincibility First Passage 4-1 孫子曰: 昔之善戰者, 先爲不可勝, 以侍敵之可勝. 不可勝... Know Enemy, Know Self (Extended) Passage 10-16 知吾卒之可以擊, 而不知敵之不可擊, 勝之半也; 知敵之可擊...

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 9-17: Hanging pots and not returning to quarters—desperate Earnest, rambling talks wit... 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...