Chapter 10 · Terrain

Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain: accessible, entangling, temporizing, narrow passes, precipitous heights, and positions at a great distance. Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is accessible — be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots. Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is entangling. Now an army is exposed to six calamities arising from faults for which the general is responsible: flight, insubordination, collapse, ruin, disorganization, and rout. The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally. Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys. If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.