Tzu 06: Weak Points and Strong

In Grant’s siege of Vicksburg he faced a strengthened enemy – and he waited to create weakness and avoid their strength.

The next chapter maneuver, teaches how to move the army, and when it should be moved.   Sun Tzu is setting the table for the reader, telling us to where the army should be moved.  Impose your will on the enemy, do not let the enemy impose his will on you.

Avoid going to the strong points – instead focus on the weakness and use that to achieve victory.

Best Quote(s)

“2. Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him.” Location 268

“30. So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.” Location 323

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268

“2. Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him.”

272

“6. An army may march great distances without distress, if it marches through country where the enemy is not.”

285

“11. If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high rampart and a deep ditch. All we need do is to attack some other place that he will be obliged to relieve.”

“12. If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely traced out on the ground. All we need do is to throw something odd and unaccountable in his way.”

297

“18. Numerical weakness comes from having to prepare against possible attacks; numerical strength, from compelling our adversary to make these preparations against us.”

310

“24. Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient.”

323

“30. So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.”