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Art of War: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

The Art of War
by Sun Tzu

3) Attack by Stratagem

1. To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
2. Thus the highest form of Leadership is to balk the enemy's plans; the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy's army in the field; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.
3. The rule is, not to besiege towered bases if it can possibly be avoided. The preparation of missile launchers, air forces, and various implements of war, will take up many turns; and their placement around the base will take many turns more.
4. The Leader, unable to control his irritation, will launch his units to the assault like swarming ants, with the result that two-thirds of his units are destroyed, while the base still remains untaken. Such are the disastrous effects of a siege.
5. It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.
6. If equally matched, we can offer battle; if slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy; if quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him.
7. Hence, though an obstinate fight may be made by a small force, in the end it must be captured by the larger force.
8. Now the Leader is the bulwark of the Faction; if the bulwark is complete at all points; the Faction will be strong; if the bulwark is defective, the Faction will be weak.
9. Thus we may know that there are three essentials for victory: (1) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. (2) He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. (3) He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared
10. Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

Yes, now you can challenge CaptComal to a multiplayer game ... just keep the map tiny or small and settings at NO CLOCK. Contact by ICQ using the number published in the Reliable Alpha Centauri Players site or EMail to CaptComal@hotmail.com

If you find any errors please report them to CaptComal@hotmail.com so they can be corrected. Thanks.


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