Chapter 9 · The Army on the March · 行軍

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, 則不可用也. 故令之以文, 齊之以武, 是謂必取.

Punish troops before winning their loyalty—they will not submit; not submitting, they are difficult to command. Once their loyalty is won but discipline is not enforced—they become useless. Command through civility; unify through discipline. This is called certain victory.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 9-20:

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.... 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... 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, ... 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,... The General Receives His Mandate Passage 8-1 孫子曰: 凡用兵之法, 將受命於君, 合軍聚衆. Command (將) Passage 1-6 將者, 智‧信‧仁‧勇‧嚴也.

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 9-18: 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 9-21: When orders are consistently enforced, the troops are trained to obey. When orde...