The Art of War by: Sun Tzu Review Part 10a: Terrain
Hello everyone, this is a continuation of my Art of War review. This review was just barely over the amount of segments I usually use in one post, so I decided to split it in two. I posted earlier about my goals, if you want to view that article, here is the link. Let's get into the review. (Please Note that I typed everything myself, and did NOT copy any online sources, however this is based on the Giles 1910 translation which is in the Public Domain).
[Image Source: pixabay.com, License: CCO Public Domain]
Art of War original text
cmp2020 commentary
Terrain
1. Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporizing ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy.
There are six situations where being smart is ideal: When a solution is easily accessed by you and your competitor, when a solution is easily achieved once, but not a second time, when a solution is not profitable to either side by speed, where a solution is needed first, and when the solution is profitable if achieved first.
2. Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.
A solution that is easy to find for you and your competitor is called accessible. (Real world example: If two companies need finances, taking a loan is an example of this).
3. With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies. Then you will be able to fight with advantage.
In situations where the solution to a problem is easily accessed by you and your competitor it is best to achieve advantages before your competitor can. (Real world example: If you are launching a block chain based social media site, you should have your block chain ready before your competitor).
4. Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling.
Problems that are solved easily once, but not again are called entangling. (Real world example: If you take one loan, it is a lot harder to take another without paying the first loan back).
5. From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is prepared for your coming, and you fail to defeat him, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue.
If you fail at solving a problem once, every time after that attempt you will fail again. (Real world example: If you ask a girl out once, and she says no. She will most likely never say yes no matter how much you try).
6. When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporizing ground.
When a problem is not profitable based on how fast it is achieved, it is temporizing. (Real world example: It doesn't matter who makes their moves the fastest in a chess game, but whose moves ultimately make them win).
7. In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in his turn; then, when part of his army has come out, we may deliver our attack with advantage.
Therefore, it is best not to use speed in these situations, for speed is predictable. Rather, think through your solutions, and use the solution you don't think your opponent will predict. (Real world example: When your opponent expects you to use your knight, use your bishop in chess).
8. With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy.
If you can solve a problem first, solve it and defend against your opponent. (Real world example: A business pays off it's debts, then works to generate a steady supply of income by releasing exciting new products frequently).
9. Should the army forestall you in occupying a pass, do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it is weakly garrisoned.
If you are beaten in solving a problem first, do not try to face your opponent if you can't pass his advantages. (Real world example: You do not throw a ball in dodgeball at the kid on the other team who throws a ball like a heat seeking missile if you don't have a kid on your team who you are willing to sacrifice. If there is no kid, don't throw unless you are confident you can win without a ball to the gut [or lower]).
10. With regard to precipitous heights, if you are before hand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up.
If you do solve a problem first, gain as many advantages as you can before your opponent solves it to. (Real world example: If you get the heat seeking missile kid out, get as many kids on the other team out as you can before he gets back in from a catch fueled with fire for what you did and socks you in the gut [or lower]).
11. If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.
If your opponent has beaten you at solving the problem, don't use the same solution but rather a different one. (Real world example: Rather than throwing the ball at the kid, try to catch it if there are no team mates to sacrifice. But be warned, you could get hit in the stomach [or lower]). (I only say this from experience)
12. If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.
If you are far off from beating your opponent, and your resources are the same, challenging will give you deficit. (Real world example: If you are an elementary school wrestler, it is not a good idea to challenge a high school wrestler even if you're the same weight).
13. These six are the principles connected with Earth. The general who has attained a responsible post must be careful to study them.
These six are under the principle of the lengths one will go to achieve their goals. (Real world example: Are you willing to risk the humiliation of losing, to have a chance to be the best soccer player at school by trying out?)
14. Now an army is exposed to six several calamities, not arising from natural causes, but from faults for which the general is responsible. These are: (1) flight; (2) insubordination; (3) collapse; (4) ruin; (5) disorganization; (6) rout.
There are 6 liable negative responses that an organization can be exposed to from inefficient leadership (1) Giving up and fleeing (2) Uncertainty in leadership roles (3) Failure to perform (4) Destruction of the organization (5) Disorganization of resources (6) Abandoning the task at hand.
15. Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled against another ten times its size, the result will be the flight of the former.
If you challenge an opponent with far more resources than you, you will be forced to give up. (Real world example: A small time employee suing Google).
16. When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.
When your employees are better fit for leadership roles than your leaders mutiny will occur amongst the ranks. (Real world example: The Mutiny on the Bounty).
17. When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or no he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin.
If mutiny occurs amongst the leadership positions because they feel you are unfit to lead, your cause will be lost. (Real world example: When a company's CEO goes to jail the company usually goes out of business).
18. When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixed duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization.
If it is unclear what is being asked of those supporting a task, this causes chaos and disorganization. (Real world example: If your boss tells you to work when you feel like it, nothing would be accomplished).
19. When a general, unable to estimate the enemy's strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one, and neglects to place picked soldiers in the front rank, the result must be rout.
If a leader doesn't think through his plans, and trusts anyone to help him succeed, he will fail. (Real world example: If we just told that guy at the Walmart cash register to go be president, the country would die).
20. These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.
What he said ^
Part 6a: Weak Points and Strong
Part 6b: Weak Points and Strong
Part 7b: Maneuvering
Part 8: Variation in Tactics
Part 9a: The Army on the March
Part 9b: The Army on the March
Thanks for reading this! I hope you found this article entertaining, as I said this was a borderline cut article. I'm glad I did cut it though, I started at 6:30 and it is now 11:47 (I did eat dinner though), I don't think I could have managed 13 more segments. There is always tomorrow! As always leave feedback, and check back later!
Also remember to check for: My weekly 7 post, and My Art of War Review