Sun Tzu – The Art of War 5.10

In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack—the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers.

Sun Tzu, the legendary Chinese general, strategist, and philosopher, believed that there are only two methods of attack in battle: the direct and the indirect. However, he also believed that the combination of these two methods can give rise to an endless series of maneuvers.

In battle, a direct attack involves a head-on assault against the enemy. This is the most straightforward method of attack, and it is typically used when the enemy is weak or when there is no other way to attack. The objective of a direct attack is to overwhelm the enemy with superior numbers and firepower.

On the other hand, an indirect attack involves attacking the enemy from the side or from behind. This method is typically used when the enemy is strong, and a head-on assault is not possible. The objective of an indirect attack is to catch the enemy off-guard and attack their weak points.

Sun Tzu believed that the most successful attacks are those that combine both methods. By using a combination of direct and indirect attacks, the attacker can keep the enemy off-balance and unable to predict their next move. This makes it easier to find and exploit the enemy’s weak points, leading to a higher chance of victory.

Sun Tzu’s idea of the endless series of maneuvers comes from the fact that each attack can lead to a counter-attack from the enemy. This, in turn, can lead to a counter-counter-attack from the attacker, and so on. By using a combination of direct and indirect attacks, the attacker can keep the enemy guessing and prevent them from mounting a successful counter-attack.

In essence, Sun Tzu believed that the key to victory in battle is not the number of soldiers or weapons, but the strategy and tactics used to attack the enemy. By using a combination of direct and indirect attacks, an army can gain an advantage over a stronger enemy and emerge victorious.

In conclusion, Sun Tzu’s 5.10 emphasizes the importance of using a combination of direct and indirect attacks in battle. While there are only two methods of attack, the combination of these two methods can give rise to an endless series of maneuvers, allowing an army to keep the enemy off-balance and gain the upper hand in battle.