The Art of War

Only about a third of the chapter, comprising ss. ss. 1-13, deals with "terrain," the subject being more fully treated in ch. XI. The "six calamities" are discussed in SS. 14-20, and the rest of the chapter is again a mere string of desultory remarks, though not less interesting, perhaps, on that account.

1. Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground;

Mei Yao-ch`en says: "plentifully provided with roads and means of communications."

(2) entangling ground;

The same commentator says: "Net-like country, venturing into which you become entangled."

(3) temporizing ground;

Ground which allows you to "stave off" or "delay."

(4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy.

It is hardly necessary to point out the faultiness of this classification. A strange lack of logical perception is shown in the Chinaman's unquestioning acceptance of glaring cross-divisions such as the above.

2. Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called ACCESSIBLE.

3. With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies.