Friday 21 February 2020

If the team sees an advantage to be gained and makes no effort to secure it, the members are exhausted

When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.

If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst.

If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained and makes no effort to secure it, the soldiers are exhausted.

If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied. Clamor by night betokens nervousness.

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.

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.

The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank and file.

Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at the end of his resources; too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress.

To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.

When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.

If the enemy's troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or taking themselves off again, the situation is one that demands great vigilance and circumspection.


From "Sun Tzu on the Art of War - The Oldest Military Treatise in the World"
Translated from the Chinese By Lionel Giles, M.A. (1910)

Discussion:

Yet another tricky part. Descriptions of enemy soldiers are turned into those of clinicians regardless of the sides because those descriptions are mostly about motivations and morales.


Translation:

When the clinicians stand leaning on their stools, they are faint from want of food.

If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the team is suffering from thirst.

If the team sees an advantage to be gained and makes no effort to secure it, the members are exhausted.

If students gather on any spot, it is unoccupied. Clamor by night betokens nervousness.

If there is disturbance in the unit, the director's authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the members are weary.

When a team fills their stomaches with grain bars and kills their laptops for shutdown, and when the men do not leave their coffee-pots over the stoves, showing that they will not return to their desks, you may know that they are determined to complete the long procedure.

The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank and file.

Too frequent rewards signify that the team is at the end of his resources; too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress.

To begin by plaster, but afterwards to take fright at the test result numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.

When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the other service wishes for a staffing support.

If the other service's staff march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining care or taking themselves off again, the situation is one that demands great vigilance and circumspection.


Ray Murakami

Tuesday 4 February 2020

Resource proposals unaccompanied by a sworn budgeting indicate a plot

Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is about to advance. Violent language and driving forward as if to the attack are signs that he will retreat.

When the light chariots come out first and take up a position on the wings, it is a sign that the enemy is forming for battle.

Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.

When there is much running about and the soldiers fall into rank, it means that the critical moment has come.

When some are seen advancing and some retreating, it is a lure.


From "Sun Tzu on the Art of War - The Oldest Military Treatise in the World"
Translated from the Chinese By Lionel Giles, M.A. (1910)

Discussion:

Another challenging part. Here the enemy is translated into health policies which often cause headache to health professionals.


Translation:

Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the new health policy is about to advance. Violent language and driving forward as if to the attack are signs that the policy will be discarded.

When the temporary plans come out first and take up a position on the budget, it is a sign that the policy is forming for reform.

Resource proposals unaccompanied by a sworn budgeting indicate a plot.

When there is much running about and the secretaries fall into offices, it means that the critical moment has come.

When some are seen advancing and some retreating, it is a lure.


Ray Murakami