Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporizing ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy.
Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.
With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies. Then you will be able to fight with advantage.
Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling.
From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is prepared for your coming, and you fail to defeat him, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue.
When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporizing ground.
In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in his turn; then, when part of his army has come out, we may deliver our attack with advantage.
With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy.
Should the army forestall you in occupying a pass, do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it is weakly garrisoned.
With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up.
If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.
If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.
These six are the principles connected with Earth. The general who has attained a responsible post must be careful to study them.
Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.
With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies. Then you will be able to fight with advantage.
Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling.
From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is prepared for your coming, and you fail to defeat him, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue.
When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporizing ground.
In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in his turn; then, when part of his army has come out, we may deliver our attack with advantage.
With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy.
Should the army forestall you in occupying a pass, do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it is weakly garrisoned.
With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up.
If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.
If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.
These six are the principles connected with Earth. The general who has attained a responsible post must be careful to study them.
Translated from the Chinese By Lionel Giles, M.A. (1910)
Discussion:
Beginning of the new chapter. Train is translated into ground of discourse between the patient and the physician.Translation:
Sun Tzu would have said: We may distinguish six kinds of ground of discourse, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporizing ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the patient.
Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.
With regard to ground of this nature, be before the patient in occupying the raised and highlighted topics, and carefully guard your line of arguments. Then you will be able to communicate with advantage.
Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling.
From a position of this sort, if the patient is unprepared, you may sally forth and drive him away. But if the patient is prepared for your coming, and you fail to drive him away, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue.
When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporizing ground.
In a position of this sort, even though the patient should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the patient in his turn; then, when part of his next of kin has come out, we may deliver our terms with advantage.
With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the patient.
Should the patient forestall you in occupying a pass, do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it is weakly garrisoned.
With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and highlighted topics, and there wait for him to come up.
If the patient has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.
If you are situated at a great distance from the patient, and the strength of the two parties is equal, it is not easy to provoke a debate, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.
These six are the principles connected with faith. The physician who has attained a responsible post must be careful to study them.
Ray Murakami
Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.
With regard to ground of this nature, be before the patient in occupying the raised and highlighted topics, and carefully guard your line of arguments. Then you will be able to communicate with advantage.
Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling.
From a position of this sort, if the patient is unprepared, you may sally forth and drive him away. But if the patient is prepared for your coming, and you fail to drive him away, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue.
When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporizing ground.
In a position of this sort, even though the patient should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the patient in his turn; then, when part of his next of kin has come out, we may deliver our terms with advantage.
With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the patient.
Should the patient forestall you in occupying a pass, do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it is weakly garrisoned.
With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and highlighted topics, and there wait for him to come up.
If the patient has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.
If you are situated at a great distance from the patient, and the strength of the two parties is equal, it is not easy to provoke a debate, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.
These six are the principles connected with faith. The physician who has attained a responsible post must be careful to study them.
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