Chapter 9 · The Army on the March · 行軍

Passage 9-8

凡地有絶澗, 天井, 天牢, 天羅, 天陷, 天隙, 必極去之, 勿近也; 吾遠之, 敵近之, 吾迎之, 敵背之.

When terrain features deep ravines, enclosed basins, natural prisons, tangled undergrowth, treacherous depressions, or narrow crevices—leave quickly and do not approach. Keep distant from these while ensuring the enemy moves near them. Face them while ensuring the enemy has them at his back.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 9-8:

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, ... Heaven (天) Passage 1-4 天者, 陰陽, 寒暑, 時制也. 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... Proportional Response Passage 3-8 必以全爭於天下, 故兵不頓而利可全, 此謀攻之法也. Making Victory Inevitable Passage 4-4 善守者, 藏於九地之下; 善攻者, 動於九天之上, 故能自保... Timing of Decision Passage 4-5 見勝, 不過衆人之所知, 非善之善者也. 戰勝, 而天下曰善...

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 9-9: 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...