Create ‘death ground’ by denying escape to elicit maximum courage, unity, and effort from soldiers.

By Sun Tzu, from L'Art de la guerre

Key Arguments

  • When placed where there is no retreat, troops ‘will prefer death to flight,’ unleashing utmost strength.
  • Desperate straits remove fear and prompt steadfastness and hard fighting.
  • Such conditions produce spontaneous initiative, fidelity, and reliable obedience without micromanagement.

Source Quotes

23. Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve.
Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and men alike will put forth their uttermost strength. 24.
24. Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front.
25. Thus, without waiting to be marshaled, the soldiers will be constantly on the qui vive; without waiting to be asked, they will do your will; without restrictions, they will be faithful; without giving orders, they can be trusted. 26.
On hemmed-in ground, I would block any way of retreat. On desperate ground, I would proclaim to my soldiers the hopelessness of saving their lives. 51.

Key Concepts

  • Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight.
  • If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and men alike will put forth their uttermost strength.
  • Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm.
  • Thus, without waiting to be marshaled, the soldiers will be constantly on the qui vive; without waiting to be asked, they will do your will; without restrictions, they will be faithful; without giving orders, they can be trusted.
  • On desperate ground, I would proclaim to my soldiers the hopelessness of saving their lives.

Context

xi. The Nine Situations — psychological leveraging of ‘desperate ground’