Sun Zi – The Art of War

Chinese strategy explained : know yourself and the ennemy, use deception, spies, and "win with ease". Tr. Giles (en, annotated) and Amiot (fr).

Introduction
I. Laying Plans
II. Waging War
III. Attack by Stratagem
IV. Tactical Dispositions

V. Energy
VI. Weak Points and Strong
VII. Maneuvering
VIII. Variation in Tactics
IX. The Army On The March

X. Terrain
XI. The Nine Situations
XII. The Attack By Fire
XIII. The Use of Spies

Terrain

Only about a third of the chapter, comprising ss. ss. 1-13, deals with "terrain," the subject being more fully treated in ch. XI. The "six calamities" are discussed in SS. 14-20, and the rest of the chapter is again a mere string of desultory remarks, though not less interesting, perhaps, on that account.

Sunzi X. 4.

When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called TEMPORIZING ground.1

In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait,2 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.

1. Tu Mu says: "Each side finds it inconvenient to move, and the situation remains at a deadlock."

2. Tu Yu says, "turning their backs on us and pretending to flee." But this is only one of the lures which might induce us to quit our position.

Giles X.6,7.

Ne vous engagez jamais dans ces sortes de lieu où l'on peut aller très aisément, mais d'où l'on ne peut sortir qu'avec beaucoup de peine et une extrême difficulté ; si l'ennemi laisse un pareil camp entièrement libre, c'est qu'il cherche à vous leurrer ; gardez-vous bien d'avancer, mais trompez-le en pliant bagage. S'il est assez imprudent pour vous suivre, il sera obligé de traverser ce terrain scabreux. Lorsqu'il y aura engagé la moitié de ses troupes, allez à lui, il ne saurait vous échapper, frappez-le avantageusement et vous le vaincrez sans beaucoup de travail.

Amiot

Sun Zi X. 4.