Chapter 9 · The Army on the March · 行軍

Passage 9-3

欲戰者, 無附於水而迎客, 視生處高, 無迎水流, 此處水上之軍也.

If you seek battle, do not confront the enemy near water. Observe the terrain and occupy high positions. Do not advance upstream—this is the method for water warfare.

What does this passage really mean for modern strategy?

Ask Sun →

Explore Further

These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 9-3:

Distant Terrain Passage 10-6 險形者, 我先居之, 必居高陽以待敵. 若敵先居之, 引而去... Precipitous Terrain Passage 10-5 隘形者, 我先居之, 必盈之以待敵; 若敵先居之, 盈而勿從... Win First, Then Fight Passage 4-9 故善戰者, 立於不敗之地, 而不失敵之敗也. 是故勝兵先勝,... Entangling Terrain Passage 10-2 我可以往, 彼可以來, 曰通. 通形者, 先居高陽, 利糧道... Stalemated Terrain Passage 10-3 可以往, 難以返, 曰; 掛; 掛形者, 敵無備, 出而勝之... The Six Terrain Types Passage 10-7 遠形者, 勢均, 難以挑戰, 戰而不利. 凡此六者, 地之道...

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 9-4: 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 9-20: 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...