Sun Tzu – The Art of War
XI The Nine Situations
Qoincidence?
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The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach.
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How to make the best of both strong and weak–that is a question involving the proper use of ground.
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Thus the skillful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.
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It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order.
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He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.
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By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, he keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. By shifting his camp and taking circuitous routes, he prevents the enemy from anticipating his purpose.
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At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him. He carries his men deep into hostile territory before he shows his hand.
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He burns his boats and breaks his cooking-pots; like a shepherd driving a flock of sheep, he drives his men this way and that, and nothing knows whither he is going.
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To muster his host and bring it into danger:–this may be termed the business of the general.
https://sun.thefreelibrary.com/Art-of-War/1-11