April 18, 2026

Started taking notes on 4/13. Finished on 4/18.

Part 1: Laying Plans

The art of war is governed by five constant factors to be taken into consideration: the moral law, heaven, earth, the commander, method and discipline.

The moral law

requires the people to be in accord with their ruler (teammates in accordance with each other).

The commander

stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, and strictness (the virtues of a captain and the coach).

Method and discipline

are understood to be the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions (each team member must be aware of their individual strengths/weaknesses, their role in the team, and maintenance of their own personal health).

The general who listens to counsel and acts upon it will conquer, and should continue command. The general who listens not to counsel should be dismissed.

All warfare is based on deception. When you want to attack, appear weak. When you want to defend, appear strong.

Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush them.

If the opponent is secure, be prepared for them to push in. If they are superior in strength, evade them.

Attack where the oponent is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

Part 2: Waging War

If victory is long coming, weapons grow dull and ardor will be dampened. If you lay siege, you will exhaust your strength.

Cleverness is never associated with long delays.

In war, let your great objective be victory, not lengthy campaigns.

Part 3: Attack by stratagem

To fight and conquer all your battles is not excellence: excellence consists of breaking the opponent's resistance without fighting.

An unprepared general will launch men into an assault like swarming ants, with the result that one-third of his men are slain, while the city lays untaken.

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.

Part 4: Tactical Disposition

The good fighters first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, then wait for an opportunity to defeat the enemy.

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

Ability to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive.

Part 5: Energy

To withstand the brunt of an enemy attack, you must focus on direct and indirect maneuvers.

There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.

Simulated disorder creates perfect discipline. Simulated fear creates courage. Simulated weakness creatures strength.

Part 6: Weak Points and Strong

Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy will be fresh for the fight. Whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.

Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend. March to places where you are not expected.

You may advance and be absolutely irresistible if you make for the enemy's weak points.

How victory may be produced for them out of the enemy's own tactics: that is what the multitude cannot comprehend.

All can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.

Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory.

Part 7: Maneuvering

Maneuvering with an undisciplined army is most dangerous.

In war, practice dissimulation, and you will succeed.

Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.

Do not pursue an enemy who simulates fight, do not attack soldiers whose temper is keen.

Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy.

Part 8: Variation of Tactics*

The general who thoroughly understands the advantages that accompany variation of tactics knows how to handle his troops.

There are five dangerous faults: recklessness, cowardice, a hasty temper, sensitivity to shame, and being weak-willed.

Part 9: The Army on the March

If you are anxious to fight, you should not meet the invader.

All armies prefer high ground to low ground

Part 10: Terrain

There are six kinds of terrain: accessible ground, entangling ground, temporizing ground, narrow passes, precipitious heights, positions at a great distance from the enemy.

If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt.

Part 11: The Nine Situations

There are nine varieties of ground: dispersive ground, facile ground, contentious ground, open ground, ground of intersecting highways, serious ground, difficult ground, hemmed-in ground, desperate ground.

Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight.

Part 12: Attack by Fire

In order to carry out an attack, you must have the means (resources) available.

Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise.

The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead. The good general cultivates his resources.

If it is to your advantage, make a forward move. IF not, stay where you are.

The enlightened ruler is heedful, the good general full of caution.

Did not compile Part 13: Usage of Spies. I did not see anything in there that pertained to comp, but future re-reads may change my mind.