| Sun Tzu said: |
Commentary |
|
29. When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want
of food.
|
A strong soldier
stands upright. They are balanced and alert. When they sag, it is
likely because they are tired. When they require support, they are
even more tired. One good reason for this is a lack of food. Lack of
sleep and too much stress and fighting without recuperation also has
this effect. |
| 30. If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the
army is suffering from thirst. |
Fetching water away
from the safety of others has some hazard and so soldiers on this
duty are unlikely to pause to drink unless there is a lack of water
back in camp and all the water they take will be quickly drunk by
others. When this is true, then there is likely a lack of water in
the main camp. This is a simple sign that is easily missed. By
watching and thinking why people act as they do, you can surmise
much. |
| 31. If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained and makes no effort to secure
it, the soldiers are exhausted. |
Opportunity and
potential advantage often need to be
grasped quickly in war as they easily pass. When soldiers do not
make such attempts it seems likely that they lack the energy or
motivation to do so, in which case they are more ripe for attack. |
| 32. If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied. Clamor by night betokens
nervousness. |
Birds will not gather
where there are people (unless the potential for food is greater
than the perceived hazard). Birds gathered alone is hence a natural
sign of an unoccupied space. Birds seldom fly at night. They often
roost together for safety, and any alarm is quickly taken up by
others to enable the flock to escape. An enemy creeping through a
roosting area may create such arousal. In this way, roosting birds
are good night guards. |
|
33. If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If
the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are
angry, it means that the men are weary.
|
There are signs
amongst the behavior of the troops in camp as to their mood.
Ill-discipline leads to audible fights and arguments.
Flags were used as a visible rallying point for troops of any
given unit, and are typically set up in camp as they arrive and are
not moved. Where flags indicate the middle of a unit, then moving
flags show changing allegiances and gathering of forces, which is
also a sign of ill-discipline and mutiny.
When men disobey, officers command. When they still disobey,
officers shout. The sounds of officers shouting is hence also a sign
of rising discontent. |
| 34. When an army feeds its horses with grain and kills its cattle for food,
and when the men do not hang their cooking-pots over the camp-fires, showing
that they will not return to their tents, you may know that they are determined
to fight to the death. |
An army usually keeps
grain for eating itself. Feeding it to the horses gives the horses
more energy in readiness for battle or flight.
If they eat all their food or they show signs of not preparing
for the next meal, then then are not thinking they will survive in
the longer term. |
| 35. The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in
subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank and file. |
Soldiers are
typically open and brash. Speaking quietly and in small groups hence
is a sign that something is not normal. It also likely indicates
they do not want officers or others to hear. |
| 36. Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at the end of his
resources; too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress. |
Rewards motivate.
Officers hence use them to keep the troops focused on fighting.
There are, however, limits to what may be offered. Over-use of
rewards hence indicates something is wrong. Either it is taking more
to motivate soldiers or the officers believe there is little time
left. In either case, this could indicate a built-up to one last
battle. Punishment is the reverse of rewards. When these are used
more than normal it means troops are disaffected and officers are
desperate. |
| 37. To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's
numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence. |
Intelligence is at
the heart of a good campaign. With real knowledge you can plan
effectively. Without knowledge some pretend to have it and make a
show. When the army later finds they were wrong, this can cause
great surprise, fear and disarray. |
| 38. When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that
the enemy wishes for a truce. |
Messages from the
enemy should always be treated with great caution. When they seem
particularly concerned to flatter you, this may be a ploy. It may
also be a conciliatory approach.
Understand the bigger situation. When you are clearly dominant,
messengers are more likely to seek peace. |
