There is a hierarchy of strategic methods: first, frustrate enemy plans; second, prevent their forces from joining; third, attack their army; last and worst, besiege cities.

By Sun Tzu, from L'Art de la guerre

Key Arguments

  • He orders four options from best to worst, placing attacks on plans and cohesion above battlefield engagement, and condemning sieges as worst.

Source Quotes

3. Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy’s plans; the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy’s forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy’s army in the field; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities. 4.

Key Concepts

  • Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy’s plans; the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy’s forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy’s army in the field; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.

Context

iii. Attack by Stratagem (lines 177–227)