孙子兵法英文版.doc

SUN ZI THE ART OF WAR - PAGE 31 - CHAPTER 1 LAYING PLANS計篇 Sun Zi (Sun Tzu) said: War is a matter of vital importance to the state; a matter of life and death, the road either to survival or to ruin. Hence, it is imperative that it be thoroughly studied. Therefore, to make assessment of the outcome of a war, one must compare the various conditions of the antagonistic sides in terms of the five constant factors: the first is moral influence; the second, weather; the third, terrain; the fourth, commander; and the fifth, doctrine. Moral influence means the thing which causes the people to be in complete accord with their sovereign, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives and without the slightest disloyalty. Weather signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons. Terrain comprises grounds, high and low; distances, great and small; places, dangerous and secure; lands, open and constricted; and the chances of life and death. The commander stands for the general’s qualities of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, and strictness. Doctrine refers to the principles guiding the organization of the army, the assignment of appropriate ranks to officers, and the control of military expenditure. These five constant factors should be familiar to every general. He who masters them wins, he who does not is defeated. Therefore, to forecast the outcome of a war, the attributes of the antagonistic sides should be analysed by making the following seven comparisons: Which sovereign possesses greater moral influence? Which commander is more capable? Which side holds more favourable conditions in weather and terrain? On which side are decrees better implemented? Which side is superior in arms? On which side are officers and men better trained? Which side is stricter and more impartial in meting out rewards and punishments? By means of these seven elements, I can forecast victory or defeat. If the sovereig