Искусство войны. Уровень 2 / The Art of War

В If we are equal, we can offer battle; if slightly different in numbers, we can avoid the enemy; if quite unequal in every way, we can run away from him.

10.В Through a small force may fight hard but in the end it must be captured by the larger force.

11. Now the general is the bulwark[4 - bulwark – оплот] of the State: if the bulwark is complete at all points; the State will be strong; if the bulwark is defective, the State will be weak.

12.В There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune upon his army:-

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14. (2) By attempting to control an army in the same way as he controls a state, not knowing the conditions of an army. This causes chaos among the soldiers.

15. (3) By employing people who cannot adapt to the military circumstances as the officers of his army. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers.

16.В The chaos and distrust among the soldiers brings anarchy into the army, and pushes victory away.

17.В Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory:

(1) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.

(2) He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.

(3) He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.

(4) He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.

(5) He will win who has military ability and is not interfered with by the higher ruler.

Victory lies in the knowledge of these five points.

18.В People say: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you will win in every of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will lose in every battle.

IV.В Tactical dispositions

1.В Sun TzЕ­ said: The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.

2.В To save ourselves from defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

3.В Thus the good fighter is able to save himself from defeat, but cannot make sure of defeating the enemy.

4.В People say: One may know how to win without being able to do it.

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