Follow us on Facebook to receive important updates Follow us on Twitter to receive important updates Follow us on sina.com's microblogging site to receive important updates Follow us on Douban to receive important updates
Chinese Text Project
Simplified Chinese version
Show translation:[None] [English]
Show statistics Edit searchSearch details:
Scope: Attack by Stratagem Request type: Paragraph
Condition 1: Contains text "故上兵伐謀其次伐交其次伐兵其下攻城" Matched:1.
Total 1 paragraphs. Page 1 of 1.

谋攻 - Attack by Stratagem

English translation: Lionel Giles [?]
Books referencing 《谋攻》 Library Resources
2 谋攻:
故上兵伐谋,其次伐交,其次伐兵,其下攻城。攻城之法,为不得已;修橹轒轀,具器械,三月而后成;距闉,又三月而后已;将不胜其忿,而蚁附之,杀士卒三分之一,而城不拔者,此攻之灾也。
Attack by Stratagem:
Thus the highest form of generalship 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. The rule is, not to besiege walled cities if it can possibly be avoided. The preparation of mantlets, movable shelters, and various implements of war, will take up three whole months; and the piling up of mounds over against the walls will take three months more. The general, unable to control his irritation, will launch his men to the assault like swarming ants, with the result that one-third of his men are slain, while the town still remains untaken. Such are the disastrous effects of a siege.

Total 1 paragraphs. Page 1 of 1.