Sun Tzu – The Art of War 8.2

When in difficult country, do not encamp. In country where high roads intersect, join hands with your allies. Do not linger in dangerously isolated positions. In hemmed-in situations, you must resort to stratagem. In desperate position, you must fight.

Sun Tzu’s The Art of War contains valuable lessons for both military and non-military contexts. The book emphasizes the importance of strategic thinking, planning, and execution, as well as adaptability and resourcefulness in the face of difficult situations. One of the key concepts discussed in the book is the idea of maneuvering in difficult terrain, a topic that is covered in section 8.2.

The section starts with the advice to avoid encamping in difficult terrain. This is because difficult terrain can make it challenging to defend and escape in the event of an attack. Therefore, it is important to keep moving and not stay in one place for too long.

In contrast, when in country where high roads intersect, Sun Tzu advises joining hands with allies. This is because high roads are areas of strategic importance, and forming alliances can increase the strength of an army in that location. By working together, allies can provide mutual support and help to secure a strong position.

The next piece of advice is to avoid lingering in dangerously isolated positions. This can leave an army vulnerable to attack from multiple sides, making it difficult to defend against. Instead, it is important to keep moving and avoid being caught in such a situation.

When hemmed in, Sun Tzu advises using stratagem. This means that in situations where the army is surrounded or in a tight space, it is important to think creatively and use strategic thinking to find a way out. This may involve tactics such as feigning retreat, creating diversions, or other strategic moves to gain an advantage.

Finally, in desperate positions, Sun Tzu advises fighting. This means that when all other options have been exhausted and the army is facing an imminent threat, it is important to take a stand and fight back. By doing so, the army can demonstrate its strength and determination, and potentially turn the tide of the battle.

Overall, the lessons from section 8.2 highlight the importance of strategic thinking and adaptability in the face of difficult situations. By avoiding dangerous positions, working with allies, and using stratagem when necessary, an army can increase its chances of success in battle.