Kelly’s Reviews > The Art of War: Translated and Introduced by Peter Harris > Status Update

Chapter 9: The army on the move

Or March. A more focussed chapter, and more fluent. Describes watching the birds, trees and dust clouds to gather information on the enemy and its movements.
Also, be wary of peace treaties when the enemy is not losing - subsequent planning is almost guaranteed and is only temporary peace.

Chapter 7: Armies Contending

Contending here means striving to secure a strategic advantage, with or without open conflict, especially on a prospective battlefield. But don’t rush so much the men are exhausted- then they are in danger.

Also the psychological aspects of battle- the spirits of the soldiers, mind of the general, and mood of the enemy altogether.

Chapter 6: The Empty and the Solid

Considered euphemism for strengths and weaknesses. But also contains an element of possibility.
Not many direct examples of the chapter title. Much about troop numbers not being everything -much depends on knowing enemy plans.

If the army is invisible to the enemy, even a well hidden spy cannot know what is empty or solid about it.
Have the enemy come to you; do not go to him.

Chapter 5: Circumstance

1. Divide men into units so nobody is in charge of more than a few men.
2. The meaning of regular versus irregular can change from one to the other as in a circle. Infinite possibilities. Like a river - flexible to form.
3. Use people in accord with their talents.
4. Have the enemy come to you, expending their energy, so “empty” - attack them from your solidity.

Chapter 4: Form
The forms the two armies take when attacking and defending themselves. The finest form is no form; invisible.

“What people in the world call winning is destroying the enemy’s army and killing his general. Our idea of great consists of hidden plans and secret movements that strike at the enemy’s plans…victory comes without bloodied weapons.” p149

The Way consists of being humane and just.

Chapter 3: Planning an Attack

Main points:
1. Defeating an enemy while avoiding war is the best outcome, keeping state intact and reaping benefits.
2. So striking an enemy’s plans and attacking alliances, roads, grain supply etc.
3. Need a completely reliable General, and a ruler that doesn’t meddle in military affairs.

“Know your enemy and know yourself. Fight a hundred battles without danger.”

Chapter Two: Starting a Battle (a very brief and sometimes repetitive one)

Main points:
1. Ideally we can rely on the enemy for food provisions because grain is so heavy. It saves a lot of money and the people at home.

2. Protracted war is to be avoided if at all possible. “War is like fire. If you do not stop it you will burn yourself.”

3. Reward some men with enemy possessions to spur on hundreds more.

Overall text is a fragmentary collection of comments and sayings, plus traditional commentators over the millennia.

Chapter one: Calculations (“Planning”)

Two main points:
1. Five key factors: the Way (humane, kindness), the sky (weather), the earth (terrain traps/advantages), command (Generals) and method (strategy).
2. The way of deception (cunning).

Tally points in advance to know which state will win.

“War is the way of deception”
“Calculate your advantages. Then create the circumstances for their use.”
“Strategist’s ways…cannot be divulged to others beforehand.” p 48-49