Sun Zi – L'Art de la guerre

La stratégie chinoise ou comment s'informer, estimer, diviser, détourner, tromper, et vaincre « sans coup férir ». Tr. Amiot (fr) et Giles (en).

Introduction
I. De l'évaluation
II. De l'engagement
III. Des propositions de la victoire et de la défaite
IV. De la mesure dans la disposition des moyens
V. De la contenance
VI. Du plein et du vide

VII. De l'affrontement direct et indirect
VIII. Des neuf changements
IX. De la distribution des moyens
X. De la topologie
XI. Des neufs sortes de terrain
XII. De l'art d'attaquer par le feu
XIII. De la concorde et de la discorde

De la concorde et de la discorde

Sunzi XIII. 2.

Être plusieurs années à observer ses ennemis, ou à faire la guerre, c'est ne point aimer le peuple, c'est être l'ennemi de son pays ; toutes les dépenses, toutes les peines, tous les travaux et toutes les fatigues de plusieurs années n'aboutissent le plus souvent, pour les vainqueurs eux-mêmes, qu'à une journée de triomphe et de gloire, celle où ils ont vaincu. N'employer pour vaincre que la voie des sièges et des batailles, c'est ignorer également et les devoirs de souverain et ceux de général ; c'est ne pas savoir gouverner ; c'est ne pas savoir servir État

Amiot

Hostile armies may face each other for years, striving for the victory which is decided in a single day. This being so, to remain in ignorance of the enemy's condition simply because one grudges the outlay of a hundred ounces of silver in honors and emoluments,1 is the height of inhumanity.2

One who acts thus is no leader of men, no present help to his sovereign, no master of victory.3

1. "For spies" is of course the meaning, though it would spoil the effect of this curiously elaborate exordium if spies were actually mentioned at this point.

2. Sun Tzu's agreement is certainly ingenious. He begins by adverting to the frightful misery and vast expenditure of blood and treasure which war always brings in its train. Now, unless you are kept informed of the enemy's condition, and are ready to strike at the right moment, a war may drag on for years. The only way to get this information is to employ spies, and it is impossible to obtain trustworthy spies unless they are properly paid for their services. But it is surely false economy to grudge a comparatively trifling amount for this purpose, when every day that the war lasts eats up an incalculably greater sum. This grievous burden falls on the shoulders of the poor, and hence Sun Tzu concludes that to neglect the use of spies is nothing less than a crime against humanity.

3. This idea, that the true object of war is peace, has its root in the national temperament of the Chinese. Even so far back as 597 B.C., these memorable words were uttered by Prince Chuang of the Ch`u State: "The [Chinese] character for 'prowess' is made up of [the characters for] 'to stay' and 'a spear' (cessation of hostilities). Military prowess is seen in the repression of cruelty, the calling in of weapons, the preservation of the appointment of Heaven, the firm establishment of merit, the bestowal of happiness on the people, putting harmony between the princes, the diffusion of wealth."

Giles XIII.2,3.

Sun Zi XIII. 2.