1Arts

Laying Plans

1. 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 subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.

3. 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 and 6. The moral law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their live, undismayed by any danger.
7. Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and season.
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, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness.
10. Method and discipline are to understood the marshalling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the gradations 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 know them not will fail.

Ask these 4 your organization/company

Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise:
[1] Which of 2 sovereigns is imbued with the moral law?
[2] Which of 2 generals has most ability?
[3] With whom lie advantages derived fom heaven and earth?
[4] On which side is disicpline most rigorously enforced?
[5] Which army is the stronger?
[6] On which side are officers and men more highly trained?
[7] In which army is there greater constancy both in reward and punishment?
Sovereigns=organization; general=director/manager; heavenand earth=place and building;disicplines=ruler; army=staff/employee.