Chapter 7 · Maneuvering

Sun Tzu said: In war, there is nothing more difficult than tactical maneuvering. The difficulty consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain. Thus, to take a long and circuitous route, after enticing the enemy out of the way, and though starting after him, to contrive to reach the goal before him — this shows knowledge of the artifice of deviation. We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors. In war, practice dissimulation, and you will succeed. Let your rapidity be that of the wind, your compactness that of the forest. In raiding be like fire, in immovability like a mountain. Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.