Chapter 1 of 15

Preface

Sun Tzŭ on The Art of War

THE OLDEST MILITARY TREATISE IN THE WORLD Translated from the Chinese with Introduction and Critical Notes

BY LIONEL GILES, M.A.

Assistant in the Department of Oriental Printed Books and MSS. in the British Museum

1910

To my brother Captain Valentine Giles, R.G. in the hope that a work 2400 years old may yet contain lessons worth consideration by the soldier of today this translation is affectionately dedicated.

Contents

Preface to the Preface by Lionel Giles INTRODUCTION Sun Wu and his Book The Text of Sun Tzŭ The Commentators Appreciations of Sun Tzŭ Apologies for War Bibliography

Chapter I. Laying plans

s

Chapter II. Waging War

r

Chapter III. Attack by Stratagem

m

Chapter IV. Tactical Dispositions

s

Chapter V. Energy

y

Chapter VI. Weak Points and Strong

g

Chapter VII Manœuvring

g

Chapter VIII. Variation of Tactics

s

Chapter IX. The Army on the March

h

Chapter X. Terrain

n

Chapter XI. The Nine Situations

s

Chapter XII. The Attack by Fire

e

Chapter 1 of 15