# Sonshi/First Principles

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SONSHI. I. FIRST PRINCIPLES.
The words of Son the Master:—
To all nations War is a great matter. On War, death or life depend : it is the means of existence, or path to destruction.
Therefore it must be diligently studied.
Now, in war there are five important matters. The first is called The Way;the second, Heaven; the third, Earth; the fourth, the Leader; the fifth, Law.
The Way or the proper conduct of man. If the ruling authority be upright, the people are united: fearless of danger, their lives are at the service of their Lord.
Heaven. Light and darkness; heat and cold; and the change of time and season.
Earth. Distance; extent ; strategic position. ​2 THE COMPLETE WORKS. OF SONSHI.
The Leader. Intelligence; truth; benevolence; courage and strictness.
Law. Partition and ordering of troops.
These things must be known by the leader: to know them is to conquer; to know them not is to be defeated.
Further, with regard to these and the following seven matters, the condition of the enemy must be compared with our own.
The seven matters for comparison are:—
The virtue of the prince; the ability of the General; natural advantages; the discipline of the armies; the strength of the soldiers; training of the soldiers; justice both in reward and punishment.
Knowing these things, I can foretell the victor.
If a general under me fight according to my plans, he always conquers, and I continue to employ him: if he differ from my plans, he will be defeated and dismissed from my service.
Wherefore, with regard to the foregoing, considering that with us lies the advantage, and the generals agreeing, we create a situation which promises victory; but as the moment and method cannot be fixed beforehand, the plan must be modified according to circumstances,
War is a thing of pretence: therefore when capable of action, we pretend disability; when near to the enemy, we pretend to be far; when far away, we pretend to be near.
Allure the enemy by giving him a small advantage. ​Pretend to be in confusion, and capture him. If there are defects, give an appearance of perfection, and awe the enemy. Pretend to be strong, and so cause the enemy to avoid you. Make him angry, and confuse his plans. Pretend to be inferior, and cause him to despise you.
If he be at ease, tire him out ; if united make divisions in his camp. Attack weak points, and appear in unexpected places. Since these are the methods of the successful strategist, they cannot be learnt beforehand.
When, before battle, in council assembled before the shrine of the ancestors, consider well the plan of campaign. For thereby victory may be gained.
They who haplessly fight without plan are courting disaster.
The resourceful in stratagem win; the poor in stratagem do not conquer; hopeless indeed are they without it.
I, knowing these things, and seeing both armies, can foretell the victor.
* ↑ The five virtues of humanity, righteousness, politeness, wisdom and faith are known as The Way.
* ↑ Mencius speaking of war says that an united people is the most important essential of victory.
* ↑ The Chinese regard natural phenomena as possessing either a masculine positive or light principle or a feminine negative or dark principle. In this connection rain, mist, wind, are included.
* ↑ There are different opinions as to the meaning of this passage; none are quite satisfactory.