Time is imminent.

The time is imminent.

Pay attention to the current situation.

Everything from this time on, is just fluff.


. Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance
to the State.

2. It is a matter of life and death, a road either
to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry
which can on no account be neglected.

3. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant
factors, to be taken into account in one's deliberations,
when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field.

4. These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth;
(4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.

5,6. The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete
accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him
regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.

7. Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat,
times and seasons.

8. Earth comprises distances, great and small;
danger and security; open ground and narrow passes;
the chances of life and death.

9. The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom,
sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness.

10. By method and discipline are to be understood
the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions,
the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance
of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the
control of military expenditure.

11. These five heads should be familiar to every general:
he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them
not will fail.

12. Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking
to determine the military conditions, let them be made
the basis of a comparison, in this wise:--

13. (1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued
with the Moral law?
(2) Which of the two generals has most ability?
(3) With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven
and Earth?
(4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?
(5) Which army is stronger?
(6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained?
(7) In which army is there the greater constancy
both in reward and punishment?

14. By means of these seven considerations I can
forecast victory or defeat.

15. The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts
upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command!
The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it,
will suffer defeat:--let such a one be dismissed!

16. While heading the profit of my counsel,
avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances
over and beyond the ordinary rules.

17. According as circumstances are favorable,
one should modify one's plans.

18. All warfare is based on deception.

19. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable;
when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we
are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away;
when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder,
and crush him.

21. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him.
If he is in superior strength, evade him.

22. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to
irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

23. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest.
If his forces are united, separate them.

24. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where
you are not expected.

25. These military devices, leading to victory,
must not be divulged beforehand.

26. Now the general who wins a battle makes many
calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought.
The general who loses a battle makes but few
calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations
lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat:
how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention
to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.
[To Chinese text |To Top]

27. He who eats cheese on the night before battle, will not lose of himself upon sight of the enemy.

28. Better is a bird in the sky, or a worm in the earth, than an ant on the plains.

29. In great motion is great commotion, and in still silence is the hunters aim best.

30. Fear is in the discipline of the strong, and fear is in the fleet of the afraid.

31. Energy is found in bountiful supplies, conservative measures, dutiful services, and united loyalties.

32. Peaceful countenances do not make wars whimper, but leverage is won against wars wagers.

That was good to read again, Endisnighe! I was feeling creative & thought I'd add a few

Another bad thread that doesnt actually say anything! Why did you bother posting, what is your message that your are trying to get across to us?

"Time is imminent"

"Unrelated Quote"
"Dramatic Statement"
"Confusing Logic"
"Paranoid Claims"
"Delusional Thinking"
yada yada yada............

Am I supposed to be scared, intrigued or what? Right now Im just confused and disapointed.



[edit on 7-5-2010 by Pryde87]

"Time is imminent" ... Whose time, yours or his?

"Unrelated Quote" ... Your blindside.
"Dramatic Statement" ... You haven't a chance.
"Confusing Logic" ... Unresolved conclusions ...
"Paranoid Claims" ... for paranoid is best.
"Delusional Thinking" ... a leak in your bucket ...
yada yada yada............ Not Frasier ...

Am I supposed to be scared, intrigued or what? Right now Im just confused and disapointed.

It's perfect, he's all yours Endisnighe

We drink fluoride water, It hard to understand metaphorical writings.
Please elaborate, you effectively typed whats in a book and put onto a post, without inserting any of your opinions.

Not sure why this was posted, though I certainly did enjoy rereading Sun Tsu.

The title makes no sense...the immanence of an event is a function of time, and where said event lies in the future in relation to the being experiencing awaiting the experience.

Originally posted by Pryde87
Another bad thread that doesnt actually say anything!

Well.....Sun Tsu said rather a LOT in those scant few statements above. He outlined the entire premise for victory in warfare. Follow those maxims and you will always be victorious!

People have been studying those words for something like 3000 years.

I, like many other responders am unsure of why you posted this. The lessons of Sun Tzu, like most ancient philosophy are mostly so abstract that they are nearly useless except for inspiration. Perhaps a little elaboration is in order.

Having played wargames with toy soldiers, I have come across a few axioms of my own that I think are useful.

Present the enemy with more targets than he is capable of attacking, so that he will then be overwhelmed regardless of what choices he makes.

Continue the attack, even if all seems lost, for fortune turns upon the smallest events and fate may yet favor your endeavor.

Know the signs of the power-gamer well, so you will be prepared when he loses and starts throwing stuff at you!