Situational prescriptions: avoid encampment in difficult country, join allies at crossroads, shun isolated positions; use stratagem when hemmed-in and fight when desperate.
By Sun Tzu, from L'Art de la guerre
Key Arguments
- “When in difficult country, do not encamp” prevents being fixed in disadvantageous terrain.
- “In country where high roads intersect, join hands with your allies” leverages connectivity for mutual support.
- “Do not linger in dangerously isolated positions” reduces vulnerability to encirclement.
- “In hemmed-in situations, you must resort to stratagem” prioritizes deception to regain maneuver space.
- “In desperate position, you must fight” concentrates will when no alternative remains.
Source Quotes
2. When in difficult country, do not encamp. In country where high roads intersect, join hands with your allies.
When in difficult country, do not encamp. In country where high roads intersect, join hands with your allies. Do not linger in dangerously isolated positions.
In country where high roads intersect, join hands with your allies. Do not linger in dangerously isolated positions. In hemmed-in situations, you must resort to stratagem. In desperate position, you must fight. 3.
Key Concepts
- When in difficult country, do not encamp.
- In country where high roads intersect, join hands with your allies.
- Do not linger in dangerously isolated positions. In hemmed-in situations, you must resort to stratagem. In desperate position, you must fight.
Context
viii. Variation in Tactics (lines 491–528) — terrain and positional contingencies