The art of war

1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to

the State.

2. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safe-

ty or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can

on no account be neglected.

3. The art of war, then, is governed by five

constant factors, to be taken into account in one’s delib-

erations, when seeking to determine the conditions

obtaining in the field.

4. These are:

(1) The Moral Law;

(2) Heaven;

(3) Earth;

(4) The Commander;

(5) Method and discipline.

5,6. The Moral Law causes the people to be in com-

plete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow

him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any dan-

ger.

7. Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times

and seasons.