Assignment 5

What is important in this reading is how you use your forces in the best way possible.  One needs to exploit one's own strength in a manner that will exhibit the most benefits and lead to victory.


12. The onset of troops is like the rush of a torrent which will even roll stones along in its course.


This is kind of interesting because it is comparing the onset of troops to a current, however these troops are being killed in the process on breaking down the enemy.  yes the enemy will be beaten if you send enough troops at them but it probably not worth the cost of lives.

Assignment 4

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.


this would entail that the enemy messes up in general.  Also you would have to be aware that the enemy has screwed up.


The general who is skilled in defense hides in the most secret recesses of the earth;


but if you are constantly on the defensive then you could never beat your enemy.


What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.


this means being able to use your troops and supplies in the most efficient and tactical way possible to defeat your enemy

Assignment 3

8. It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him;


This is implemented now in what we are taught in torc now when we are told to proceed with superior numbers.  


. But when the army is restless and distrustful, trouble is sure to come from the other feudal princes. This is simply bringing anarchy into the army, and flinging victory away


This is important because you cant fight a war if your soldiers are distracted and not ready for battle.  I dont know what the army is doing about this now but I do know that the army is invested in its soldiers well being.


(4) He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.


It is important to always be prepared because if you are not then you might be over taken.

Assignment 2

Thus, though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.


While I can not relate this to any actual event it does kind of play off of the fact that we as leaders need to make good yet swift judgement.  Because no matter how great a plan might be if it is implemented too late then it wont be at all effective.


There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare


I cant think of any concrete examples off hand but many countries that have been going to just internal strife within its boarders never seems to get in good economic states.  Also I would like to comment that sometimes a "brief" war could be beneficial as it kind of was for the US taking us out of the Great Depression or at least contributing to that.  However, I am not too sure how long exactly is a prolonged war.

Post 1

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

If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. 
    If he is in superior strength, evade him.
The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom,
    sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness.

For the first one all the time plans have to be modified to accommodate the circumstances that is why we do leader's recon so we can see how we need  to modify our initial plan.  That second one is when we follow the number superiority rule 3:1 that way we can hopefully win and lose less casualties.  The third one is how we are suppose to be as leaders.  We are suppose to know what we are doing and be understanding of our soldiers but also push for results at the same time.