Name: Rose Marie V.

Cesario  He stated the laments and grievances of the Filipino

Year/ Section: BEEd IV-A people and revealed the hypocrisy of the friars, using
Subject: Literature of the World religion to impoverish and brutalize the Filipino
Topic: - Noli Me Tangere (synopsis) people.
Instructor: Ms. Maria Charlene D. Ocampo
 He differentiated the true and false Catholic religion,
CHARACTERS and presented how the friars were using the church
 Juan Crisostomo Ibarra- the most important character teachings to extract money from the native Filipino
in the novel, manifesting in him the Filipino who populace.
acquired European ideas through his education in  He unveiled the deceptions of the Spanish
Europe. In the novel, Ibarra’s government in the Philippines.
Personality will result in the disagreements of liberal This novel has been a rich source of insights into
idealism in education and conservatism represented the history and culture not only of 19 th century
by the Catholic Church. Philippines but as importantly, of the 20 th century. It’s
 Elias- the character that Rizal placed to represent the generally realistic perspective offers the reader a
Filipino masses who suffered from Spanish Brutalities panoramic view of a conflicted and deeply divided
and abuse due to powerlessness in the novel, and in colonial society. The characters in the novel stands
real Philippines social situation in that time. out as recognizable types of individual, both from the
 Maria Clara- in her, Ibarra has fallen in love as she ruling class and the oppressed, and the struggles they
also mirrored the Filipina woman of religious undergo are indices to the turbulent conflicts in the
upbringing and orientation. Through her love to 19th century. This novel also significant for the specific
Ibarra, she represented true fidelity and religiosity of ways in which it has shaped the trajectory of realistic
the woman in real Filipino society. novels in the Philippines.
 Don Rafael Ibarra- known in the plot as a concerned Idea of writing the Novel in the Philippines
citizen and property owner who was the father of His reading of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle
Crisostomo Ibarra. Padre Damaso who plays an Tom’s Cabin¸which portrays the brutalities of
antagonists role calls him heretic and rebel, due to his American slave-owners and the pathetic conditions
views on liberalism in society. of the unfortunate Negro slave, inspired Dr. Rizal to
 Dona Vectorina- wife of Don Tiburcio de prepare a novel that would depict the miseries of his
Espanadana, known in the novel as trying hard rich people under the lash of Spanish Tyrants. He was then
Filipina woman, who abhors anything that is Filipino a student in the Central University of Madrid.
and clings to Spanish way of life. This kind of In the reunion of Filipinos in the Paterno
character was manifested in some Filipinos of that residence in Madrid on January 2, 1884, Rizal
time. proposed the writing of a novel about the Philippines
 Don Anatacio delos Santos- an illegal opium trader by a group of Filipinos. His proposal was unanimously
who subsequently was a land lord. He represents a approved by those present, among whom were
different view in religion and thus, more on Paternos (Pedro, Maximo, and Antonio), Graciano
businessman who uses his money to work for him even Lopez Jaena, Evaristo Aguirre, Eduardo de Lete, Julio
in religious life and obligations. Llorete, Melecio Figueroa, and Valentin Ventura.
 Sisa- she represented in the novel a sad plight of the Unfortunately, Rizal’s project did not materialize.
Filipina mothers losing her two sons. Those compatriots who were expected to
 Pilosopo Tasyo- he portrayed the role of a collaborate on the novel did not write anything. The
philosopher who was completely misunderstood in novel was designed to cover all phases of Philippine
many aspects, he argues with the belief of the life. However, almost everybody wanted to write on
Catholic Church, social changes and concerns in the women. Rizal disgusted at such flippancy. He was
novel. more disgusted that his companions, instead of
 The School Master-a teacher at San Diego, his views working seriously on the novel, wasted their time
in the novel represented the weak, obsolete and gambling or flirting with Spanish Senioritas.
useless education in the Philippines. He attributes the Undaunted by his friends ‘ indifference, he
problem from facilities and methods of learning that determined to write the novel-alone.
the friars implemented in the country.
 Padre Damaso- an antagonists in the character and The writing of the Novel
represented the unchristian works of the Catholic Toward the end of 1884, Rizal began writing the
friars who are in the church. novel in Madrid and finished about one half of it.
Through his novel, Rizal unveiled the real situation of When he went to Paris, in 1885, after completing
the Philippines as explained in the following lines his studies in Central University of Madrid, he
patterned after Rizal’s original explanation in his letter: continued writing the novel, finishing one-half of the
 He described in the novel, the condition of the second half. He finished the last fourth of the novel in
Philippine society, the Filipino beliefs, life hopes and Germany. He wrote the last few chapters of the Noli
desires. Me Tangere in Wilhelmsfeld in April-June 1886.
 Maria Clara was used against him. Later in the story,
VIOLA SAVOIR OF THE NOLI Maria Clara will tell Ibarra that she did not conspire to
In the midst of his despondency and misery, Rizal indict him. She was compelled to give Ibarra’s letter in
received a telegram from Dr. Maximo Viola who was exchange for the letters of her mother before she was
coming to Berlin. This friend of Rizal was a scion of a born. Maria Clara found out that the letters of her
rich family of San Miguel, Bulacan. When he arrived in mother were addressed to Padre Damaso about their
Berlin shortly before Christmas Day of 1887, he was unborn child which means that she is the biological
shocked to find Rizal living in poverty and deplorably daughter of the priest and not of her father, Capitan
sickly due to lack of proper nourishment. Tiago.
Upon seeing his talented friends predicament, Meanwhile, Ibarra was able to escape the
viola, being loaded with ample funds, gladly agredd prison with Elias, who also experienced injustice with
to finance the printing cost of the Noli. He also loaned the authorities. Ibarra was able to speak with Maria
Rizal cash money for living expenses. Thus it come to Clara about the letters and thereafter forgave her.
pass Rizal and Viola happily celebrated the Christmas Ibarra and Elias flee to the lake and were chased by
of 1886 in Berlin with a sumptuous feast. the Guardia Civil. One was shot and the other
 To save some expenses in printing he deleted certain survives. Upon hearing the news, Maria Clara
passages in his manuscript including a whole chapter believed that Ibarra was dead; she entered the
– “Elias and Salome”. nunnery instead of marrying Alfonso Linares.
 On February 21, 1887, the Noli was finally finished and The fatally wounded Elias found the child
ready for printing. Basilio and his dead mother Sisa. The latter was driven
 Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-Gesselschaft, 300 pesos to insanity when she learned that her children were
for 2000 copies. implicated for theft by the sacristan mayor. Elias
Printing of the Noli Finished instructed Basilio to dig for his and Sisa’s graves and
 March 21, 1887, the Novel came off the press. Rizal there is a buried treasure which he can use for his
immediately sent the first copies of the printed novel education.
to his intimate friends, including Bluementritt , Dr. Ma. Noli Me Tangere brilliantly described
Regidor , Graciano Lopez Jaena, Mariano Ponce, Philippine society with its memorable characters. The
and Felix R. Hidalgo. melancholic fate of Maria Clara and the insanity of
 March 29, 1887, Rizal, in token in his appreciation and Sisa characterized the country’s pitiful state, which
gratitude, gave Viola the Galley proofs of Noli was once beautiful, turned miserable. Reading Noli
carefully rolled around the pen that he used in Me Tangere will open one’s mind about oppression
we=riting it and a complimentary copy, with the and tyranny.
following inscription: “ To my dear friend, Maximo EL FILIBUSTERISMO
Viola, the first to read and appreciate my work- Jose  THE NOVEL
Rizal”.  It is the second novel written by José Rizal as the
sequel to Noli Me Tangere. Like Noli Me Tangere, it
The title of the Noli was written in Spanish.
The title Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase which  “The reign of Greed” in English
means “Touch Me Not.” It is not originally conceived  It consist of 38 chapters
by Rizal, for he admitted taking it from the Bible. Rizal  THE TITLE
writing to Felix R. Hidalgo in French on March 5, 1887,  Rizal had to define the word filibustero to his German
said : “ Noli Me Tangere, words taken from the Gospel friend Ferdinand Blumentritt, who did not understand
of Saint Luke, signify “ do not touch me”. In citing the his use of the word in Noli Me Tangere. In a letter,
Biblical source, Rizal made a mistake. It should be the Rizal explained:
Gospel of Saint John (Chapter 20, Verses 13 to 17).  "The word filibustero is little known in the Philippines.
The masses do not know it yet. I heard it for the first
NOLI ME TANGERE: SUMMARY time in 1872 when the tragic executions took place.”
The young and idealistic Juan Crisostomo  “I still remember the panic that this word created.
Ibarra returns home after seven years in Europe. The Our father forbade us to utter it, as well as the words
wealthy meztizo, like his father Don Rafael endeavors Cavite, Burgos, etc. The Manila newspapers and the
for reform primarily in the area of education in order Spaniards apply this word to one whom they want to
to eliminate poverty and improve the lives of his make a revolutionary suspect.”
countrymen. Upon learning about his father’s demise  “The Filipinos belonging to the educated class fear
and the denial of a Catholic burial for his father Ibarra the reach of the word. It does not have the meaning
was provoked to hit Padre Damaso which eventually of freebooters; it rather means a dangerous patriot
lead to his excommunication. The excommunication who will soon be hanged or well, a presumptuous
was later rescinded upon the intervention of the man."
Governor General.
Padre Salvi, Ibarra’s mortal enemy accused
Ibarra of insurrection. Ibarra’s letter to his beloved
A one day be hopefully found to be used for a
HISTORY OF THE NOVEL meaningful purpose.
 Rizal took 3 years to write his second novel.
 Rizal began writing El Filibusterismo in October 1887  NOLI AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO COMPARED:
while he was in Calamba. NOLI METANGERE
 In London (1888), he revised the plot and some  A romantic novel
chapters. Rizal continued to work on his manuscript in  A book of the heart
Paris.  A book of feeling
 He later moved to Brussels where the cost of living  It has freshness, color, humor and intelligence
was cheaper and he would be less likely to be  Contains 64 chapters
distracted by social events so he could focus on EL FILIBUSTERISMO
finsihing the book.  A political novel
 Rizal sent complimentary copies to Blumentritt,  A work of the head
Mariano Ponce, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio  A book of thought
Luna, T.H. Pardo de Tavera, Juan Luna and other  It contains bitterness, hatred, pain, violence and
friends. sorrow
 The El Nuevo Regimen-liberal Madrid newspaper  Contains 38 chapters
serialized the novel in its issues of October 1891.
 Original manuscript of El filibusterismo in Rizal’s own GODS AND GODESSES OF THE PHILIPPINES
handwriting is now preserved in the Filipiniana 1. Princess Urduja
Division of the Bureau of Public libraries in Manila. (ca. 1350–1400 AD) is believed to be a
legendary warrior princess who is recognized as a
 Acquired by Philippine government from Valentin
heroine in Pangasinan, Philippines.
Ventura for 10,000 pesos.
The Indianized name Urduja appears to be Sanskrit in
 Consists of 279 pages of long sheets paper origin, and a variation of the name “Udaya”,
meaning “arise” or “rising sun”, or the name “Urja”,
 OBEJECTIVES OF THE NOVEL meaning “energy”, “life force” or “breath”. A
 To defend Filipino people from foreign accusations of historical reference to Urduja is reported to be found
foolishness and lack of knowledge. in the travel account of Ibn
 To show how the Filipino people live during Spanish
Battuta (1304 – possibly 1368 or 1377 AD),
colonial period and the cries and woes of his
a Muslim traveler from Morocco. Urduja is often
countrymen against abusive officials. described as tall and beautiful, having golden bronze
 To discuss what religion and belief can really do to skin and dark hair, clad in gold and is adept in sword
everyday lives. fighting and horseback riding. Leader of the
 To expose the cruelties, graft and corruption of the Kinalakihan (warrior women). She is also believed to
false government and honestly show the wrong be multi-dialect which was a common characteristic
of the nobles in pre-colonial Southeast Asia. An Arab
doings of Filipinos that led to further failure.
traveller, Ibn Batuta, on his way to china, stopped at
her kingdom. According to her custom, she invited
 SYNOPSIS OF THE NOVEL the ship’s crew to a banquet. The Arab refused to go
 The book narrates the return of the protagonist of because he could not eat their food since they were
Noli Me Tangere, Crisostomo Ibarra, under the “infidels”. The princess was offended and summoned
disguise of a wealthy jeweler named Simoun. him. He was surprised at what his eyes witnessed and
Disillusioned by the abuses of the Spanish, Ibarra his ears heard. For the Princess was robed in her
richest and best, decked with precious stones and
abandons his pacifist beliefs in order to return to the
surrounded by brave and loyal men and
Philippines and start a violent revolution. women. She talked to the visitor in Arabian. This
 Noli Me Tangere’s Basilio, now a young man and a alone proved that she was a Moslem, knew her
skilled medical students, is recruited by Ibarra to aid Koran, and therefore knew Arabic, she told him: “You,
him in denoting a bomb at a social gathering, Priest, I have had you brought here by my guards
signaling the beginning of the revolution. because, of all of your ship’s company, you alone
scorned my invitation. You told your Captain that we,
 However, Basilio warns his friend Isagani. Realizing
people of Northern Luzon are infidels, and that it
that the woman he loves is in the building, Isagani
would be against the prophets law for you, a holy
throws the bomb into the river, averting the explosion man, to eat our food.”
and the revolution. Implicated in these matters,
Simoun commits suicide by taking poison and finds 2. Tala is the name of the goddess of the morning and
resting place at the home of a priest, Father evening star in Tagalog mythology. Her origins are
Florentino, who hears his last confession and assures varied depending on region. The goddess of the stars;
sister of Mayari and Hanan and one of the three
him that not all hope is lost.
daughters of Bathala by a mortal woman. People
 The priest (Father Florentino), upon Simoun’s death, looked up to her for direction during night time. Her
commends the jewels into the sea, remarking that the light at night is said to guide men to safety, along with
jewels once used to bride and corrupt people, would the extended aura of Anagolay. She is known to
have supported the creation of the Tagalog
 constellations whose names have been forgotten infatuated with the moons, such as Luyong Baybay
due to the influx of Western names and depictions on (goddess of tides) who was singing to the moons.
constellations. Tala used light spheres or orbs to ferry Sidapa had to take action; He used his powers to
men to safety at night, however, when the Spaniards strike fear and command others to do his bidding.He
came, they demonized the light orbs and called asked the birds and mermaids to sing his
it santelmos. The natives eventually regarded the endearments for the moons.He ordered the flowers to
santelmos as deadly beings that kill humans or get bloom and make sweet perfumes that would reach
humans to lose their way. In Tagalog animism, the the heavens,and lastly he asked the fireflies to light
stars were Tala's emblem. The most popular myth of the way so themoons could find their way to him.One
Tala is that she is one of the three daughters of the moons came down (dayaw/dayao ancient
of Bathala to a mortal woman. Her sisters Visayans had to celebrate the full moon because
include Mayari, the goddess of the moon and Hanan, they believed that a moon god or goddess has
the goddess of morning. She is known to have descended) it was the boy Bulan; young, short, lithe
supported the creation of the Tagalog traditional and comely he was contrasting death who was tall,
constellations. Tala used light spheres or orbs to ferry muscular and scary. Sidapa showered the boy moon
men to safety at night, however, when the Spaniards with gifts and songs. To this day locals believe that he
came, they demonized the light orbs and called and Bulan are still there, together.
it santelmos in a bid to convert the natives into
Christianity. The natives eventually regarded the orbs 4. Mayari (or Bulan in Bisayan) is the Goddess of the
as deadly beings that kill men or get humans to lose Moon in Tagalog mythology. She is known as the most
their way. In another, more modern story,[1] sun
beautiful of the goddesses and is the daughter of
god Arao (probably Apolaki) and the moon
goddess Buan (probably Mayari) both had large Bathala, the Supreme God, and a mortal woman. In
families of stars, but Buan believed her stars could not some origin stories she is the sister of Tala, goddess of
survive the heat of Arao. They both agreed to destroy stars, and Hanan, goddess of the morning; in others
their stars. While Arao devoured his, Buan hid hers in she is the sister of Tala and Apolaki, god of the sun. In
the clouds, where they would occasionally emerge. a Pampangan myth, Bathala died without leaving a
Upon seeing this, Arao was filled with rage and is will and Mayari fought with her brother Apolaki for the
eternally in pursuit of Buan, trying to destroy
right to rule the Earth. During the fight, Apolaki hit
her. Eclipses are explained by Arao getting close
enough to bite her. At dawn, Buan hides the stars and Mayari in the face with a bamboo club, causing her
brings them forth only when her eldest daughter, Tala to lose one of her eyes. He asked for her forgiveness
(the evening and morning star) says the sun is too far and agreed that they should rule together, he during
away to pursue them. the day and she at night. However, her light is dimmer
Derived from this myth are the Tagalog words tala, than her brother's due to the loss of her eye. In honor
which means "bright star", araw (sun) and buwan of Mayari, there is courtship tradition that takes place
(moon).
on the night of a full moon. Suitors give a corsage of
3. Sidapa (patron God of Homosexual) is sampaguita to the woman they are pursuing, and if
the Bicolano and Visayan Sky god of death who she accepts him as her lover, she wears the corsage.
reaps the kalag (souls) of the dead to give On the night of a full moon, these new lovers pledge
to Magwayen who brings them to Sulad or Saad. He their love with the moon as witness.
was once a sky god, he descended to the highest
mountain. Where hes it sunder at all tree.The god of 5. Luyong Kabig Goddess of Snakes
death, he measures the life of all new born and
A deity found in the Panay pantheon of deities,
places a mark on the tree. A dark god but very
forgiving as he sometimes extends the life of a dying if Luyong Kabig (Kabig means tight embrace or
a babaylan (priestess) and the family of the dying draw/pull to oneself)
would perform a "paganito"(sacrifice) to him or an is the wife of the lesser Tungkung Langit, the Pillar of
pag-uli (ritual). Considered very demonic deity of Heaven, sister-in-law of Panlinugon the god of
the "indios" by the Spaniards because of the stories earthquakes who lives in Idadalmun(Underworld). She
that Spaniards found perverse and deviant. Sidapa
is known in mythology as a guardian goddess in
was a god who was a lover to the Sky god Kaptan
Idadalmun(Underworld) guarding the entrance
until he fell in love with the seven moons
like bakunawa. He took the boy moon Bulan as his against invaders/escapees together with her stream
bride/consort and is said to sleep in each other's arms of snakes. She guards the entrance also from lost souls
in mt. Madjaas. "the "Arayas" (which is a certain who wants to escape from the Underworld to join the
alliance of villages), they say, go to a very high mortal world, pulling them back into the realm of the
mountain in the island of Panay, called "Mayas", dead with the help of her serpentine subjects.
where their god Sidapa "possesses a very tall
Naturally, she is seen by ancient Visayans of Panay as
tree"... "There he measures the lives of all the new-
born, and places a mark on the tree; when the a goddess of snakes, reptiles that the ancient
person's stature equals this mark, he dies ancestors both revere and fear, and sometimes seen
immediately." Sidapa and Bulan. Long ago the god as a source of protein. She is venerated by
of death resided alone on top his mountain under his babaylans, since snakes are seen in ancient times as
tall tree [mt.madjaas of Panay Island] from his domain messengers of the nature gods, they are creatures
he saw the seven moons dancing. He admired the who are sensitive even to the slight changes
moons for their beauty and not too long he fell in love
occurring in the area, particularly, typhoons, floods
with them. He realized that the other gods were also
 and earthquakes. The ancient visayans have of Panlinugon. Another myth says that Luyong
observed that snakes come out of their hiding Baybay is very much infatuated with the Moon Deity,
places/burrows during earthquakes and floods, Libulan, that whenever he gets close to earth, the
seeking higher ground away from danger, and tides rise up because she is trying to get close to him.
encountering a large group of snakes running away is Luyong Baybay is also believed to have married a fire
said to mean a big earthquake or flash flood is about spirit or demigod named Paigrab and they had a
to happen, and the ancient people follow suit. The daughter together named Magsauladung Biday, a
babaylans would then offer live meat outside the mythical wise woman who lives near the beach and
community for the snakes to feast on, giving thanks to helps the fishermen in need of divine instructions to
Lubyong Kabig for sending her servants to warn them get a great catch. Luyong Baybay is also believed to
of the incoming danger. She is also an important be a causer of accidents at sea, fishermen who don’t
deity during the last rites of the deceased, they pray properly treat her domain with respect especially
to her that she would guard the wandering soul of the when fishing find themselves a target of her watery
dead, that she may keep a watchful eye on them in wrath, capsizing their boat in a whim. Fishermen were
Idadalmun so that they will not come back to haunt advised to always give something back to the
them or get lost in limbo in the process of escaping goddess as thanksgiving for a great catch (usually
from the Underworld. pieces of fresh red meat). There is also a folktale that
Hunters would pray to her asking for her blessing says on nights of the full moon, Luyong Baybay would
when they are hunting for snakes to accomodate the come up to shore and take the form of a lonely,
needs of their communities whether as food, as an young woman in need and she would seduce men
accessory, or for medical/apotherical usage. back to her domain to stay with her for eternity. It was
also believed that Luyong Baybay also knows the
Role as Goddess of Snakes, Sex and Fertility directions of mythical places like Gadlum (the land of
Luyong Kabig is usually portrayed as a woman, with a darkness) the domain of Saragnayan, the god of
snake around her waist or shoulder, or standing darkness and his bride or Burutlakan-ka-adlaw which
beside/on a stream of snakes, naturally, all types of is the hidden realm of Lubay Lubyok Mahanginun si
snakes were sacred to her, and should be treated Mahuyokhuyokan, which in some tales were her
with reverence and respect, especially when killing it. brother-in-law and sister respectively.
People who have been bitten by snakes outdoors Unfortunately for Luyong Baybay, her worship
were said to have offended this goddess by diminished following the Spanish invasion. Most
committing a taboo against her subjects (these Visayans went on to become Catholics and their
taboos usually include stealing eggs of a snake, belief on her started to disappear, and are replaced
eating a snake without praying, killing a snake without instead by venerations to the Mother of Good
remorse or reverence, killing a pregnant snake to Voyage, Nuestra Seniora dela Buen Viaje, an aspect
name a few) She is also said to have poor eyesight of the Virgin Mary who protects sailors and fishermen
and relies on her nose a lot, a characteristic she from calamities of the sea. Luyong Baybay however
shares with her subjects. There is even an old belief remains in the memory of the Visayan elders, and
that when a person senses a snake has intruded their aslong as these wonderful stories of old is passed
home, one should crush and throw garlic in all corners down from generation to generation, she will always
of the house to drive them away, since killing them stay alive in the hearts of the Visayan people.
outright is considered bad luck for the owner. She is
also considered as a fertility and sex goddess due to 7. Hanan Goddess of the morning or dawn
the ability of snakes in coupling for a long period of She is the sister of Mayari, the goddess of the moon,
time and prolificity giving birth/laying eggs and is and Tala, the goddess of stars, and one of the three
daughters of Bathala by a mortal woman, who died
invoked by pregnant mothers of some tribes for an
after giving birth to them. Bathala didn't want
easy delivery of her baby.
anything to happen to his three beautiful daughters,
so he brought them to live up in Kaluwalhatian, or the
6. Luyong Baybay Skyworld, with him. Before long, these three demigods
Goddess of the Tides were given specific roles: Mayari, Hanan, and Tala
became the Tagalog goddesses of the moon,
The deity who controls the rising and falling of the morning, and stars, respectively.
Just like Hanan, the bringer of the dawn, tomorrow's
tides. Her name Luyong Baybay is translated as “She
Full Moon in Scorpio lights up the dark and lets a little
who was born from the Sea” and was worshipped by light shine in. Scorpio energy is all about
ancient Visayan fishing villages especially in the island transformation and reaching higher levels of
of Panay. One myth recounting her birth, states that consciousness. This Full Moon is likely going to help
she rose from Lidagat’s hair when she died and open your consciousness to a new level so you can
assumed her role as a sea goddess, while other say see things in a different light. May’s Full Moon marks a
she is a daughter of Maklium sa Tubig who was a turning point in the year when important decisions will
need to be made, and an opportunity to embrace
Panayanon sea god, and the rest tells us she is a sister
and accept any recent changes. Full Moons, after all,
to the 3 beautiful goddesses of the earth and a niece
 are about completion. It is also going to bring about  Known by the Tagalogs as the god of animal
a powerful transformative shift that will really allow husbandry and aquaculture by others the god of
you to move forward. After the energy of this Full agriculture,
Moon starts to fade, you may be feeling a greater
 the god who is in charge of animal welfare and
sense of understanding of the road
ahead. Something in our lives needs to evolve and aquatic resources, he usually lives in the woods and
either close out or be taken to the next level. guards the animals from hunters, also on waters
Under the influence of the Scorpio Full Moon, takes in charge of the fishes and other marine life.
unexpected situations or events will likely be  Dumangan
uncovered and delivered to us. These discoveries  The goddess of good harvest.
may not be the most pleasant, but they are  She was married to Idiyanale and had two offspring.
necessary. I feel like people need to stop being be so
 Lakampati
fearful of the misunderstood dark and mysterious
Scorpio energy (ahem, Scorpio here lol). Instead, let’s  She is major fertility deity of the ancient Tagalogs.
dive in and really try to understand its transformative  Farmers with their children brought offerings for him
energy so we can use it to our advantage. One of at the fields and invoke him to protect them from
the keys to understanding our situations is to actually famine. Some sources also said that food and words
open up the door and let some light in, which is are offered to him by his devotees asking for "water"
exactly what this Full Moon will do. Things may feel a for their fields and "fish" when they set sail in the sea
little uneasy leading up to the Full Moon as changes
for fishing.
may be in the air, but the best way to manage this
energy moving forward is to remember your personal
power. This power gives us the ability to step up and II. SECOND GENERATION
take responsibility over our lives, no matter what  Mayari
troubles we find ourselves in. Very often we forget  The goddess of moon and one of the three
that we have a strength and a power within us. The daughters of Bathala to mortal women.
minute we give away our power, it becomes hella
 She was the most charming of all the goddesses and
difficult to deal with the situations that life throws our
way. Part of understanding your personal power is had two sisters namely Tala and Hanan.
knowing that you are not alone, many ancestors and  Tala
guides are on your side to help you move through life.  The goddess of the stars;
The Scorpio Full Moon is one of the most powerful for  Sister of Mayari and Hanan and one of the three
reaching out to ancient ancestors and guardian daughters of Bathala by a mortal woman.
spirits. It is also believed to be one of the best Full  Hanan
Moons for rituals and manifestation work.
 The goddess of morning;
Whatever stirs for you this week, let the Moon be your
guide and see if you can be open to viewing things  Sister of Mayari and Tala and one of the three
from a higher level of consciousness. See what daughters of Bathala by a mortal woman.
situations and events the powerful Scorpio energy  Dumakulem
shines a light on for you. Be open to where the  The strong, agile guardian of mountains and the son
Universe is directing you and know that when you of Idiyanale and Dumangan.
claim your power, there is no mountain too high or  His sister was Anitun Tabu.
obstacle too difficult.
 He later married Anagolay.
 Anitun Tabu
PHILIPPINES ANCIENT GODDESSESS
 The fickle-minded goddess of wind and rain.
I. FIRST GENERATION
 She was the daughter of Idiyanale and Dumangan
 Bathala
and the sister of Dumakulem.
 The supreme god of the Tagalogs; creator of man
 Anagolay
and earth and addressed sometimes as Bathalang
 The goddess of lost things and the only offspring of
Maykapal.
Lakapati and Mapulon.
 He dwells in Kaluwalhatian together with the lesser
 She was married to Dumakulem.
gods and goddesses.
 Aside from the lesser gods and goddesses, he sent his
III. THIRD GENERATION
anitos in order to assist the daily lives of every
 Apolaki
human.
 The God of the Sun, Wisdom, and War
 Amanikable
 He was the son of Anagolay and Dumakulem
 The ill-tempered god of the sea because among the
 Dian Masalanta
first generation gods (aside from Bathala), he was
 The goddess of love, conception and childbirth and
never married after his love was spurned by a
the protector of lovers.
beautiful mortal maiden, Maganda.
 She was the daughter of Anagolay and Dumakulem
 In frustration, he swore vengeance against the
and youngest of all the deities.
humans by sending turbulent waves and horrible
tempest in order to wreck boats and to drown men.
CHINESE LITERATURE
 Idiyanale
Chinese literature is extensive because it
includes every form of writing. It contains books of
history, political and philosophical disquisitions, tales Why is it important?
of marvels and plays, including beautiful examples of China’s answer to Robin Hood is ripe with folklore and
letter writing. The teachings of Confucius or Kung-Fu- cultural history, and still inspires many contemporary
tze which were collected in his Analects were influences. It has been adapted into vast arrays of
disseminates in the West. Confucius was the most rewrites, films, TV dramas, music and operas.
prolific and persuasive thinker of his time. His influence Surprisingly popular in Japanese manga, the novel
never disappeared. has even inspired video games, a 1610 erotic novel,
Writing in China dates back to the hieroglyphs and a theme park. It is a fascinating glimpse into a
that were used in the Shang Dynasty of 1700-1050 BC. bygone China of worthy bandits, corrupt court
Chinese literature is a vast subject that spans officials, filial piety, concubines, goddesses and
thousands of years. One of the interesting things emperors.
about Chinese literature is that much of the serious What else?
literature was composed using a formula written There is some uncertainty over the authorship of
language that is called Classical Chinese. Water Margin. Most attribute the novel to Shi Nai’an,
Chinese Poetry but dissenters argue either parts or all of the novel
Poetry has been a favorite literary genre for was actually written by others – possibly Luo
thousands of years. Poetry isn’t taken very seriously in Guanzhong, who wrote Romance of the Three
the West, especially in the last two hundred years, but Kingdoms. Some have suggested that Shi Nai’an was
Chinese ancient poetry is still read and ancient a pseudonym for Luo himself.
Chinese poets are honored. The greatest poets are 2. Romance of the Three Kingdoms 三国演义
thought to have lived a thousand years ago or more
What is it?
during the Tang (618-907), Song (960-1279) and Han
A historical novel published in the late 1300s, but set
(206 BC- 220 AD) dynastic eras. Du Fu, Li Bai and Su
around 169AD, towards the end of the Han dynasty.
Shi are considered among the best ancient poets,
Merging legend, history and myth, the novel follows
and there are five major kinds of major ancient
hundreds of characters, centred around the three
poetic styles called Shi, Ci, Ge, Qu and Fu.
power blocs that emerged from the remains of the
The Analects of Confucius
collapsed dynasty, and eventually formed the states
The Analects of Confucius is an anthology of
of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu.
brief passages that present the words of Confucius
Why is it important?
and his disciples, describe Confucius as a man, and
A tale of personal and military battles and intrigues,
recount some of the events of his life. The Analects
Romance of the Three Kingdoms is largely considered
includes twenty books, each generally featuring a
one of the most important works of literature in East
series of chapters that encompass quotes from
Asia. Although originally believed to have been
Confucius, which were compiled by his disciples after
written somewhere around 1380, the novel draws on
his death.
a plethora of earlier historical events, including the
Book I serves as a general introduction to the
Yellow Turban Rebellion, plus fruitful examples of Tang
various disciples in the work. Book II deals largely with
poems and Yuan operas. In short, it’s a storytelling
issues of governance. Book III and IV are seen as the
extravaganza through an extremely turbulent period
core texts, outlining Confucius’s ideology. Much of
of Chinese history.
the work concerns itself with the concept of the Tao
What else?
or the Way, the chun-tzu or the gentleman, Li or ritual,
In the 1660s, Mao Lun and Mao Zonggang cut the
Te or virtue, and Jen or goodness. There are
text back to a mere 120 chapters, reducing 900,000
additional terms in the work, but this comprise the
characters to 750,000, and the famous opening lines
core concepts. Taken together they form the
were actually added in the revisions: ‘The empire,
backbone of Confucian ideals.
long divided, must unite; long united, must divide.’
China's 4 great classic novels
An essential guide to the Chinese classic books you 3. Journey to the West 西游记
need to know What is it?
1.Water Margin 水浒传 Journey to the West was published in the 16th century
during the Ming dynasty, and attributed to writer Wu
What is it?
Cheng’en. It’s based around the true story of monk
The earliest of China’s four great classic novels, Water
Xuanzang, who in 629AD left his temple in Chang’an
Margin is the story of 108 outlaws and vagabonds
and made a perilous pilgrimage across Gansu and
enlisted by the government to fight foreign invaders,
Qinghai, through Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and
later sent to attack the southern emperor Fang La.
Afghanistan, reaching India in 630. The stories in
Based loosely on real life rebel Song Jiang, who led
Journey to the West loosely follow his travels –
an uprising in the early twelfth century, the novel is set
together with infamous monkey Sun Wukong (also
around Mount Liang in Shandong, which was largely
known as the Monkey King), and a series of demons,
a lawless Wild West region, controlled by local
nymphs, monsters and gods.
warlords.
 4. “In a country well governed, poverty is something to
Why is it important? be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth
One of the most famous Chinese stories, the novel is a is something to be ashamed of.”
colourful array of adventure and strategy, with the 5. “It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you
pilgrims overcoming an impressive total of 81 trials do not stop.”
6. “When anger rises, think of the consequences.”
and dangers, successively tempting the motley crew
7. “When it is obvious that the goals cannot be
with trickery, wealth or beauty. The 1986 TV
reached, don’t adjust the goals; adjust the action
adaptation, starring Liu Xiao Liu Tong, remains the
steps.”
best-known adaptation and a staple on Chinese TV, 8. “Faced with what is right, to leave in undone shows a
faithfully re-screened repeatedly every Chinese New lack of courage.”
Year. 9. “To be able under all circumstances to practice five
What else? things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are
Along with Sun Wukong, Xuanzang travels with a half- gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and
man, half-pig called Zhu Bajie. Once an immortal, Zhu kindness.”
Bajie fell out of favour with the gods by flirting with the 10. “To see what is right. And not to do it, is want of
moon goddess, being banished to the mortal world courage or principle.”
and birthed by a pig. His interest in women remained, 11. “Fine words and an insinuating appearance are
however, and before joining the pilgrimage, he seldom associated with true virtue.”
12. “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two
married a girl who only discovered afterwards that
graves.”
her groom was, in fact, a pig.
13. “Success depends upon previous preparation, and
4. Dream of the Red Chamber 石头记 without such preparation, there is sure to be failure.”
What is it? 14. “Do not impose on others what you yourself do not
An 18th-century saga by Cao Xueqin about a noble desire.”
family that falls from grace. The most recent of 15. “Men’s nature are alike, it is their habits that carry
them far apart.”
China’s four classics, written in the 1750s, the novel
16. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising
focuses on life in two branches of the wealthy,
every time we fall.”
aristocratic Jia clan, particularly the dashing male
17. “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s
heir Jia Baoyu, who was supposedly born with a ignorance.”
piece of jade in his mouth. 18. “Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.”
Why is it important? 19. “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I
Packed with fascinating detail of China’s social and understand.”
cultural life at the time, the oft-satirical book is twice 20. “Respect yourself and others will respect you.”
as long as War and Peace, and often considered the THE ART OF WAR
Chinese novel. It is also politically important; aside INTRODUCTION
from being a portrait of 18th-century power struggles, “The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is
Chairman Mao claimed to have read all five volumes a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or
of Dream of the Red Chamber five times. A must-read to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on
for anyone interested in China’s enormously complex no account be neglected.” So begins The Art of War,
social structures, family roles, and Confucian a meditation on the rules of war that was first
traditions. published in China. Historians don’t know the exact
What else? date of the book’s publication (though they believe it
The author’s life mirrored that of his characters; while to be in the 4th or 5th century); in fact, they don’t
Cao’s grandfather was an important civil servant to even know who wrote it! Scholars have long believed
Emperor Kangxi, his father’s fall from grace meant that The Art of War’s author was a Chinese military
Cao grew up out of favour. He ended up drinking too leader named Sun Tzu, or Sunzi. Today, however,
much, sleeping in barns and writing Dream of the Red many people think that there was no Sun Tzu: Instead,
Chamber in chapters, often circulated among friends they argue, the book is a compilation of generations
in exchange for food and wine. Cao died in 1763, of Chinese theories and teachings on military
and his work wasn’t published as one novel until 1791 strategy. Whether or not Sun Tzu was a real person, it’s
– it has been speculated that more chapters exist, clear that “he” was very wise: The Art of War still
spirited away by the eminent people referenced in resonates with readers today.
the text. THE MYSTERY OF SUN TZU
For generations, scholars have been trying to figure
SAYINGS FROM CONFUCIUS out who Sun Tzu was–if he existed at all. Legend has it
1. “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” that he was a Chinese military leader in an era known
2. “They must often change who would be constant in as the Spring and Autumn Period. This was a time of
happiness or wisdom.” great turmoil in China, as many vassal states vied for
3. “What the superior man seeks is in himself, what the power and control of the country’s unpopulated
small man seeks is in others.”
territories. Under these circumstances, Sun Tzu’s skills 20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder,
as a warrior were much in demand. and crush him.
21. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If
THE ART OF WAR he is in superior strength, evade him.
By Sun Tzu 22. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to
Translated by Lionel Giles irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow
arrogant.
I. Laying Plans 23. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces
are united, separate them.
24. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear
1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to
where you are not expected.
the State.
25. These military devices, leading to victory, must not
2. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to
be divulged beforehand.
safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which
26. Now the general who wins a battle makes many
can on no account be neglected.
calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The
3. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant
general who loses a battle makes but few
factors, to be taken into account in one's
calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations
deliberations, when seeking to determine the
lead to victory and few calculations to defeat: how
conditions obtaining in the field.
much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to
4. These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth;
this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.
(4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.
5,6. The Moral Law causes the people to be in
II. Waging War
complete accord with their ruler, so that they will
follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any
danger. 1. Sun Tzu said: In the operations of war, where there
7. Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, are in the field a thousand swift chariots, as many
times and seasons. heavy chariots, and a hundred thousand mail-clad
8. Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger soldiers, with provisions enough to carry them a
and security; open ground and narrow passes; the thousand li, the expenditure at home and at the
chances of life and death. front, including entertainment of guests, small items
9. The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, such as glue and paint, and sums spent on chariots
sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness. and armor, will reach the total of a thousand ounces
10. By method and discipline are to be understood of silver per day. Such is the cost of raising an army of
the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, 100,000 men.
the graduations of rank among the officers, the 2. When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is
maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach long in coming, then men's weapons will grow dull
the army, and the control of military expenditure. and their ardor will be damped. If you lay siege to a
11. These five heads should be familiar to every town, you will exhaust your strength.
general: he who knows them will be victorious; he 3. Again, if the campaign is protracted, the resources
who knows them not will fail. of the State will not be equal to the strain.
12. Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to 4. Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardor
determine the military conditions, let them be made damped, your strength exhausted and your treasure
the basis of a comparison, in this wise:-- spent, other chieftains will spring up to take
13. (1) which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the advantage of your extremity. Then no man, however
Moral law? (2) Which of the two generals has most wise, will be able to avert the consequences that
ability? (3) With whom lie the advantages derived must ensue.
from Heaven and Earth? (4) On which side is 5. Thus, though we have heard of stupid haste in war,
discipline most rigorously enforced? (5) Which army is cleverness has never been seen associated with long
stronger? (6) On which side are officers and men delays.
more highly trained? (7) In which army is there the 6. There is no instance of a country having benefited
greater constancy both in reward and punishment? from prolonged warfare.
14. By means of these seven considerations I can 7. It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the
forecast victory or defeat. evils of war that can thoroughly understand the
15. The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts profitable way of carrying it on.
upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in 8. The skillful soldier does not raise a second levy,
command! The general that hearkens not to my neither are his supply-wagons loaded more than
counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat:--let such a twice.
one be dismissed! 9. Bring war material with you from home, but forage
16. While heading the profit of my counsel, avail on the enemy. Thus the army will have food enough
yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and for its needs.
beyond the ordinary rules. 10. Poverty of the State exchequer causes an army to
17. According as circumstances are favorable, one be maintained by contributions from a distance.
should modify one's plans. Contributing to maintain an army at a distance
18. All warfare is based on deception. causes the people to be impoverished.
19. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem 11. On the other hand, the proximity of an army
unable; when using our forces, we must seem causes prices to go up; and high prices cause the
inactive; when we are near, we must make the people's substance to be drained away.
enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we 12. When their substance is drained away, the
must make him believe we are near. peasantry will be afflicted by heavy exactions.
13,14. With this loss of substance and exhaustion of 8. It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the
strength, the homes of the people will be stripped enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack
bare, and three-tenths of their income will be him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.
dissipated; while government expenses for broken 9. If equally matched, we can offer battle; if slightly
chariots, worn-out horses, breast-plates and helmets, inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy; if quite
bows and arrows, spears and shields, protective unequal in every way, we can flee from him.
mantles, draught-oxen and heavy wagons, will 10. Hence, though an obstinate fight may be made
amount to four-tenths of its total revenue. by a small force, in the end it must be captured by
15. Hence a wise general makes a point of foraging the larger force.
on the enemy. One cartload of the enemy's 11. Now the general is the bulwark of the State; if the
provisions is equivalent to twenty of one's own, and bulwark is complete at all points; the State will be
likewise a single picul of his provender is equivalent to strong; if the bulwark is defective, the State will be
twenty from one's own store. weak.
16. Now in order to kill the enemy, our men must be 12. There are three ways in which a ruler can bring
roused to anger; that there may be advantage from misfortune upon his army:--
defeating the enemy, they must have their rewards. 13. (1) By commanding the army to advance or to
retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot
17. Therefore in chariot fighting, when ten or more obey. This is called hobbling the army.
chariots have been taken, those should be rewarded 14. (2) By attempting to govern an army in the same
who took the first. Our own flags should be substituted way as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of
for those of the enemy, and the chariots mingled and the conditions which obtain in an army. This causes
used in conjunction with ours. The captured soldiers restlessness in the soldier's minds.
should be kindly treated and kept. 15. (3) By employing the officers of his army without
18. This is called, using the conquered foe to augment discrimination, through ignorance of the military
one's own strength. principle of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes
19. In war, then, let your great object be victory, not the confidence of the soldiers.
lengthy campaigns. 16. But when the army is restless and distrustful, trouble
20. Thus it may be known that the leader of armies is is sure to come from the other feudal princes. This is
the arbiter of the people's fate, the man on whom it simply bringing anarchy into the army, and flinging
depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in victory away.
peril. 17. Thus we may know that there are five essentials for
victory: (1) He will win who knows when to fight and
III. Attack by Stratagem when not to fight. (2) He will win who knows how to
handle both superior and inferior forces. (3) He will win
1. Sun Tzu said: In the practical art of war, the best whose army is animated by the same spirit
thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and throughout all its ranks. (4) He will win who, prepared
intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. So, too, himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. (5) He
it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy will win who has military capacity and is not interfered
it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a with by the sovereign.
company entire than to destroy them. 18. Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and
2. Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not know yourself, you need not fear the result of a
supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the
breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a
3. Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself,
enemy's plans; the next best is to prevent the junction you will succumb in every battle.
of the enemy's forces; the next in order is to attack
the enemy's army in the field; and the worst policy of IV. Tactical Dispositions
all is to besiege walled cities.
4. The rule is, not to besiege walled cities if it can 1. Sun Tzu said: The good fighters of old first put
possibly be avoided. The preparation of mantlets, themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then
movable shelters, and various implements of war, will waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
take up three whole months; and the piling up of 2. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own
mounds over against the walls will take three months hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is
more. provided by the enemy himself.
5. The general, unable to control his irritation, will 3. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself
launch his men to the assault like swarming ants, with against defeat, but cannot make certain of
the result that one-third of his men are slain, while the defeating the enemy.
town still remains untaken. Such are the disastrous 4. Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer
effects of a siege. without being able to do it.
6. Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy's 5. Security against defeat implies defensive tactics;
troops without any fighting; he captures their cities ability to defeat the enemy means taking the
without laying siege to them; he overthrows their offensive.
kingdom without lengthy operations in the field. 6. Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient
7. With his forces intact he will dispute the mastery of strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength.
the Empire, and thus, without losing a man, his 7. The general who is skilled in defense hides in the
triumph will be complete. This is the method of most secret recesses of the earth; he who is skilled in
attacking by stratagem. attack flashes forth from the topmost heights of
heaven. Thus on the one hand we have ability to
protect ourselves; on the other, a victory that is 8. There are not more than five primary colors (blue,
complete. yellow, red, white, and black), yet in combination
8. To see victory only when it is within the ken of the they produce more hues than can ever been seen.
common herd is not the acme of excellence. 9. There are not more than five cardinal tastes (sour,
9. Neither is it the acme of excellence if you fight and acrid, salt, sweet, bitter), yet combinations of them
conquer and the whole Empire says, "Well done!" yield more flavors than can ever be tasted.
10. To lift an autumn hair is no sign of great strength; 10. In battle, there are not more than two methods of
to see the sun and moon is no sign of sharp sight; to attack--the direct and the indirect; yet these two in
hear the noise of thunder is no sign of a quick ear. combination give rise to an endless series of
11. What the ancients called a clever fighter is one maneuvers.
who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease. 11. The direct and the indirect lead on to each other
12. Hence his victories bring him neither reputation for in turn. It is like moving in a circle--you never come to
wisdom nor credit for courage. an end. Who can exhaust the possibilities of their
13. He wins his battles by making no mistakes. Making combination?
no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of 12. The onset of troops is like the rush of a torrent
victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is which will even roll stones along in its course.
already defeated. 13. The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop
14. Hence the skillful fighter puts himself into a position of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its
which makes defeat impossible, and does not miss victim.
the moment for defeating the enemy. 14. Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his
15. Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only onset, and prompt in his decision.
seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas 15. Energy may be likened to the bending of a
he who is destined to defeat first fights and crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.
afterwards looks for victory. 16. Amid the turmoil and tumult of battle, there may
16. The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, be seeming disorder and yet no real disorder at all;
and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is amid confusion and chaos, your array may be
in his power to control success. without head or tail, yet it will be proof against
17. In respect of military method, we have, firstly, defeat.
Measurement; secondly, Estimation of quantity; 17. Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline,
thirdly, Calculation; fourthly, Balancing of chances; simulated fear postulates courage; simulated
fifthly, Victory. weakness postulates strength.
18. Measurement owes its existence to Earth; 18. Hiding order beneath the cloak of disorder is
Estimation of quantity to Measurement; Calculation simply a question of subdivision; concealing courage
to Estimation of quantity; Balancing of chances to under a show of timidity presupposes a fund of latent
Calculation; and Victory to Balancing of chances. energy; masking strength with weakness is to be
19. A victorious army opposed to a routed one, is as a effected by tactical dispositions.
pound's weight placed in the scale against a single 19. Thus one who is skillful at keeping the enemy on
grain. the move maintains deceitful appearances,
20. The onrush of a conquering force is like the according to which the enemy will act. He sacrifices
bursting of pent-up waters into a chasm a thousand something, that the enemy may snatch at it.
fathoms deep. 20. By holding out baits, he keeps him on the march;
then with a body of picked men he lies in wait for him.
V. Energy 21. The clever combatant looks to the effect of
combined energy, and does not require too much
1. Sun Tzu said: The control of a large force is the from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right
same principle as the control of a few men: it is men and utilize combined energy.
merely a question of dividing up their numbers. 22. When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting
2. Fighting with a large army under your command is men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones.
nowise different from fighting with a small one: it is For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain
merely a question of instituting signs and signals. motionless on level ground, and to move when on a
3. To ensure that your whole host may withstand the slope; if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if
brunt of the enemy's attack and remain unshaken-- round-shaped, to go rolling down.
this is effected by maneuvers direct and indirect.
4. That the impact of your army may be like a 23. Thus the energy developed by good fighting men
grindstone dashed against an egg--this is effected by is as the momentum of a round stone rolled down a
the science of weak points and strong. mountain thousands of feet in height. So much on the
5. In all fighting, the direct method may be used for subject of energy.
joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in
order to secure victory. VI. Weak Points and Strong
6. Indirect tactics, efficiently applied, are
inexhaustible as Heaven and Earth, unending as the 1. Sun Tzu said: Whoever is first in the field and awaits
flow of rivers and streams; like the sun and moon, they the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight;
end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to
pass away to return once more. battle will arrive exhausted.
7. There are not more than five musical notes, yet the 2. Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on
combinations of these five give rise to more melodies the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be
than can ever be heard. imposed on him.
3. By holding out advantages to him, he can cause 20. But if neither time nor place be known, then the
the enemy to approach of his own accord; or, by left wing will be impotent to succor the right, the right
inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the equally impotent to succor the left, the van unable to
enemy to draw near. relieve the rear, or the rear to support the van. How
4. If the enemy is taking his ease, he can harass him; if much more so if the furthest portions of the army are
well supplied with food, he can starve him out; if anything under a hundred LI apart, and even the
quietly encamped, he can force him to move. nearest are separated by several LI!
5. Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to 21. Though according to my estimate the soldiers of
defend; march swiftly to places where you are not Yueh exceed our own in number, that shall
expected. advantage them nothing in the matter of victory. I
6. An army may march great distances without say then that victory can be achieved.
distress, if it marches through country where the 22. Though the enemy be stronger in numbers, we
enemy is not. may prevent him from fighting. Scheme so as to
7. You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if discover his plans and the likelihood of their success.
you only attack places which are undefended.You 23. Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or
can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out
positions that cannot be attacked. his vulnerable spots.
8. Hence that general is skillful in attack whose 24. Carefully compare the opposing army with your
opponent does not know what to defend; and he is own, so that you may know where strength is
skillful in defense whose opponent does not know superabundant and where it is deficient.
what to attack. 25. In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch
9. O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you you can attain is to conceal them; conceal your
we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible; and dispositions, and you will be safe from the prying of
hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands. the subtlest spies, from the machinations of the wisest
10. You may advance and be absolutely irresistible, if brains.
you make for the enemy's weak points; you may retire 26. How victory may be produced for them out of the
and be safe from pursuit if your movements are more enemy's own tactics--that is what the multitude
rapid than those of the enemy. cannot comprehend.
11. If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an 27. All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer,
engagement even though he be sheltered behind a but what none can see is the strategy out of which
high rampart and a deep ditch. All we need do is victory is evolved.
attack some other place that he will be obliged to 28. Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you
relieve. one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the
12. If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the infinite variety of circumstances.
enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our 29. Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its
encampment be merely traced out on the ground. natural course runs away from high places and
All we need do is to throw something odd and hastens downwards.
unaccountable in his way. 30. So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to
13. By discovering the enemy's dispositions and strike at what is weak.
remaining invisible ourselves, we can keep our forces 31. Water shapes its course according to the nature
concentrated, while the enemy's must be divided. of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out
14. We can form a single united body, while the his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.
enemy must split up into fractions. Hence there will be 32. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape,
a whole pitted against separate parts of a whole, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.
which means that we shall be many to the enemy's 33. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his
few. opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be
15. And if we are able thus to attack an inferior force called a heaven-born captain.
with a superior one, our opponents will be in dire 34. The five elements (water, fire, wood, metal, earth)
straits. are not always equally predominant; the four seasons
16. The spot where we intend to fight must not be make way for each other in turn. There are short days
made known; for then the enemy will have to and long; the moon has its periods of waning and
prepare against a possible attack at several different waxing.
points; and his forces being thus distributed in many
directions, the numbers we shall have to face at any VII. Maneuvering
given point will be proportionately few.
17. For should the enemy strengthen his van, he will 1. Sun Tzu said: In war, the general receives his
weaken his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will commands from the sovereign.
weaken his van; should he strengthen his left, he will 2. Having collected an army and concentrated his
weaken his right; should he strengthen his right, he will forces, he must blend and harmonize the different
weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements elements thereof before pitching his camp.
everywhere, he will everywhere be weak. 3. After that, comes tactical maneuvering, than
18. Numerical weakness comes from having to which there is nothing more difficult. The difficulty of
prepare against possible attacks; numerical strength, tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious
from compelling our adversary to make these into the direct, and misfortune into gain.
preparations against us. 4. Thus, to take a long and circuitous route, after
19. Knowing the place and the time of the coming enticing the enemy out of the way, and though
battle, we may concentrate from the greatest starting after him, to contrive to reach the goal
distances in order to fight.
before him, shows knowledge of the artifice of 27. A whole army may be robbed of its spirit; a
deviation. commander-in-chief may be robbed of his presence
5. Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with of mind.
an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous. 28. Now a soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning; by
6. If you set a fully equipped army in march in order to noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his
snatch an advantage, the chances are that you will mind is bent only on returning to camp.
be too late. On the other hand, to detach a flying 29. A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when
column for the purpose involves the sacrifice of its its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and
baggage and stores. inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods.
7. Thus, if you order your men to roll up their buff- 30. Disciplined and calm, to await the appearance of
coats, and make forced marches without halting day disorder and hubbub amongst the enemy:--this is the
or night, covering double the usual distance at a art of retaining self-possession.
stretch, doing a hundred LI in order to wrest an 31. To be near the goal while the enemy is still far from
advantage, the leaders of all your three divisions will it, to wait at ease while the enemy is toiling and
fall into the hands of the enemy. struggling, to be well-fed while the enemy is
8. The stronger men will be in front, the jaded ones will famished:--this is the art of husbanding one's strength.
fall behind, and on this plan only one-tenth of your 32. To refrain from intercepting an enemy whose
army will reach its destination. banners are in perfect order, to refrain from attacking
9. If you march fifty LI in order to outmaneuver the an army drawn up in calm and confident array:--this
enemy, you will lose the leader of your first division, is the art of studying circumstances.
and only half your force will reach the goal. 33. It is a military axiom not to advance uphill against
10. If you march thirty LI with the same object, two- the enemy, nor to oppose him when he comes
thirds of your army will arrive. downhill.
11. We may take it then that an army without its 34. Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight; do
baggage-train is lost; without provisions it is lost; not attack soldiers whose temper is keen.
without bases of supply it is lost. 35. Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not
12. We cannot enter into alliances until we are interfere with an army that is returning home.
acquainted with the designs of our neighbors. 36. When you surround an army, leave an outlet free.
13. We are not fit to lead an army on the march Do not press a desperate foe too hard.
unless we are familiar with the face of the country--its 37. Such is the art of warfare.
mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its
marshes and swamps. VIII. Variation in Tactics
14. We shall be unable to turn natural advantage to
account unless we make use of local guides. 1. Sun Tzu said: In war, the general receives his
commands from the sovereign, collects his army and
15. In war, practice dissimulation, and you will concentrates his forces
succeed. 2. When in difficult country, do not encamp. In
16. Whether to concentrate or to divide your troops, country where high roads intersect, join hands with
must be decided by circumstances. your allies. Do not linger in dangerously isolated
17. Let your rapidity be that of the wind, your positions. In hemmed-in situations, you must resort to
compactness that of the forest. stratagem. In desperate position, you must fight.
18. In raiding and plundering be like fire, is 3. There are roads which must not be followed, armies
immovability like a mountain. which must be not attacked, towns which must be
19. Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, besieged, positions which must not be contested,
and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt. commands of the sovereign which must not be
20. When you plunder a countryside, let the spoil be obeyed.
divided amongst your men; when you capture new 4. The general who thoroughly understands the
territory, cut it up into allotments for the benefit of the advantages that accompany variation of tactics
soldiery. knows how to handle his troops.
21. Ponder and deliberate before you make a move. 5. The general who does not understand these, may
22. He will conquer who has learnt the artifice of be well acquainted with the
deviation. Such is the art of maneuvering. configuration of the country, yet he will not be able
23. The Book of Army Management says: On the field to turn his knowledge to practical account.
of battle, the spoken word does not carry far enough: 6. So, the student of war who is unversed in the art of
hence the institution of gongs and drums. Nor can war of varying his plans, even though he be
ordinary objects be seen clearly enough: hence the acquainted with the Five Advantages, will fail to
institution of banners and flags. make the best use of his men.
24. Gongs and drums, banners and flags, are means 7. Hence in the wise leader's plans, considerations of
whereby the ears and eyes of the host may be advantage and of disadvantage will be blended
focused on one particular point. together.
25. The host thus forming a single united body, is it 8. If our expectation of advantage be tempered in
impossible either for the brave to advance alone, or this way, we may succeed in accomplishing the
for the cowardly to retreat alone. This is the art of essential part of our schemes.
handling large masses of men. 9. If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we
26. In night-fighting, then, make much use of signal- are always ready to seize an advantage, we may
fires and drums, and in fighting by day, of flags and extricate ourselves from misfortune.
banners, as a means of influencing the ears and eyes 10. Reduce the hostile chiefs by inflicting damage on
of your army. them; and make trouble for them, and keep them
constantly engaged; hold out specious allurements, 15. Country in which there are precipitous cliffs with
and make them rush to any given point. torrents running between, deep natural hollows,
11. The art of war teaches us to rely not on the confined places, tangled thickets, quagmires and
likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own crevasses, should be left with all possible speed and
readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not not approached.
attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made 16. While we keep away from such places, we should
our position unassailable. get the enemy to approach them; while we face
12. There are five dangerous faults which may affect them, we should let the enemy have them on his rear.
a general: (1) Recklessness, which leads to 17. If in the neighborhood of your camp there should
destruction; (2) cowardice, which leads to capture; be any hilly country, ponds surrounded by aquatic
(3) a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults; grass, hollow basins filled with reeds, or woods with
(4) a delicacy of honor which is sensitive to shame; (5) thick undergrowth, they must be carefully routed out
over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to and searched; for these are places where men in
worry and trouble. ambush or insidious spies are likely to be lurking.
13. These are the five besetting sins of a general, 18. When the enemy is close at hand and remains
ruinous to the conduct of war. quiet, he is relying on the natural strength of his
14. When an army is overthrown and its leader slain, position.
the cause will surely be found among these five 19. When he keeps aloof and tries to provoke a
dangerous faults. Let them be a subject of battle, he is anxious for the other side to advance.
meditation. 20. If his place of encampment is easy of access, he is
tendering a bait.
IX. The Army on the March 21. Movement amongst the trees of a forest shows
that the enemy is advancing. The appearance of a
1. Sun Tzu said: We come now to the question of number of screens in the midst of thick grass means
encamping the army, and observing signs of the that the enemy wants to make us suspicious.
enemy. Pass quickly over mountains, and keep in the 22. The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an
neighborhood of valleys. ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden
2. Camp in high places, facing the sun. Do not climb attack is coming.
heights in order to fight. So much for mountain 23. When there is dust rising in a high column, it is the
warfare. sign of chariots advancing; when the dust is low, but
3. After crossing a river, you should get far away from spread over a wide area, it betokens the approach
it. of infantry. When it branches out in different
4. When an invading force crosses a river in its onward directions, it shows that parties have been sent to
march, do not advance to meet it in mid-stream. It collect firewood. A few clouds of dust moving to and
will be best to let half the army get across, and then fro signify that the army is encamping.
deliver your attack. 24. Humble words and increased preparations are
5. If you are anxious to fight, you should not go to signs that the enemy is about to advance. Violent
meet the invader near a river which he has to cross. language and driving forward as if to the attack are
signs that he will retreat.
6. Moor your craft higher up than the enemy, and 25. When the light chariots come out first and take up
facing the sun. Do not move up-stream to meet the a position on the wings, it is a sign that the enemy is
enemy. So much for river warfare. forming for battle.
7. In crossing salt-marshes, your sole concern should 26. Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn
be to get over them quickly, without any delay. covenant indicate a plot.
8. If forced to fight in a salt-marsh, you should have 27. When there is much running about and the
water and grass near you, and get your back to a soldiers fall into rank, it means that the critical
clump of trees. So much for operations in salt- moment has come.
marches. 28. When some are seen advancing and some
9. In dry, level country, take up an easily accessible retreating, it is a lure.
position with rising ground to your right and on your 29. When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears,
rear, so that the danger may be in front, and safety they are faint from want of food.
lie behind. So much for campaigning in flat country. 30. If those who are sent to draw water begin by
10. These are the four useful branches of military drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst.
knowledge which enabled the Yellow Emperor to 31. If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained
vanquish four several sovereigns. and makes no effort to secure it, the soldiers are
11. All armies prefer high ground to low and sunny exhausted.
places to dark. 32. If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied.
12. If you are careful of your men, and camp on hard Clamor by night betokens nervousness.
ground, the army will be free from disease of every 33. If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's
kind, and this will spell victory. authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted
13. When you come to a hill or a bank, occupy the about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it
sunny side, with the slope on your right rear. Thus you means that the men are weary.
will at once act for the benefit of your soldiers and 34. When an army feeds its horses with grain and kills
utilize the natural advantages of the ground. its cattle for food, and when the men do not hang
14. When, in consequence of heavy rains up-country, their cooking-pots over the camp-fires, showing that
a river which you wish to ford is swollen and flecked they will not return to their tents, you may know that
with foam, you must wait until it subsides. they are determined to fight to the death.
35. The sight of men whispering together in small knots come out, we may deliver our attack with
or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection advantage.
amongst the rank and file. 8. With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy
36. Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await
the end of his resources; too many punishments the advent of the enemy.
betray a condition of dire distress. 9. Should the army forestall you in occupying a pass,
37. To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but
the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of only if it is weakly garrisoned.
intelligence. 10. With regard to precipitous heights, if you are
38. When envoys are sent with compliments in their beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy
mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to
39. If the enemy's troops march up angrily and remain come up.
facing ours for a long time without either joining 11. If the enemy has occupied them before you, do
battle or taking themselves off again, the situation is not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.
one that demands great vigilance and 12. If you are situated at a great distance from the
circumspection. enemy, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it
40. If our troops are no more in number than the is not easy to provoke a battle, and fighting will be to
enemy that is amply sufficient; it only means that no your disadvantage.
direct attack can be made. What we can do is 13. These six are the principles connected with Earth.
simply to concentrate all our available strength, keep The general who has attained a responsible post must
a close watch on the enemy, and obtain be careful to study them.
reinforcements. 14. Now an army is exposed to six several calamities,
41. He who exercises no forethought but makes light not arising from natural causes, but from faults for
of his opponents is sure to be captured by them. which the general is responsible. These are: (1) Flight;
42. If soldiers are punished before they have grown (2) insubordination; (3) collapse; (4) ruin; (5)
attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, disorganization; (6) rout.
unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, 15. Other conditions being equal, if one force is
when the soldiers have become attached to you, hurled against another ten times its size, the result will
punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless. be the flight of the former.
43. Therefore soldiers must be treated in the first 16. When the common soldiers are too strong and
instance with humanity, but kept under control by their officers too weak, the result is insubordination.
means of iron discipline. This is a certain road to When the officers are too strong and the common
victory. soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.
44. If in training soldiers commands are habitually 17. When the higher officers are angry and
enforced, the army will be well-disciplined; if not, its insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle
discipline will be bad. on their own account from a feeling of resentment,
45. If a general shows confidence in his men but before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or
always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will no he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin.
be mutual. 18. When the general is weak and without authority;
when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there
X. Terrain are no fixes duties assigned to officers and men, and
the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard
1. Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, manner, the result is utter disorganization.
to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; 19. When a general, unable to estimate the enemy's
(3) temporizing ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger
precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance one, or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful
from the enemy. one, and neglects to place picked soldiers in the front
2. Ground which can be freely traversed by both rank, the result must be rout.
sides is called accessible. 20. These are six ways of courting defeat, which must
3. With regard to ground of this nature, be before the be carefully noted by the general who has attained a
enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and responsible post.
carefully guard your line of supplies. Then you will be 21. The natural formation of the country is the soldier's
able to fight with advantage. best ally; but a power of estimating the adversary, of
4. Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to controlling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly
re-occupy is called entangling. calculating difficulties, dangers and distances,
5. From a position of this sort, if the enemy is constitutes the test of a great general.
unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him. But 22. He who knows these things, and in fighting puts his
if the enemy is prepared for your coming, and you fail knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who
to defeat him, then, return being impossible, disaster knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be
will ensue. defeated.
6. When the position is such that neither side will gain 23. If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must
by making the first move, it is called temporizing fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not
ground. result in victory, then you must not fight even at the
7. In a position of this sort, even though the enemy ruler's bidding.
should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable 24. The general who advances without coveting
not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose
enemy in his turn; then, when part of his army has only thought is to protect his country and do good
service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.
25. Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will 12. On open ground, do not try to block the enemy's
follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them way. On the ground of intersecting highways, join
as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you hands with your allies.
even unto death. 13. On serious ground, gather in plunder. In difficult
26. If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to ground, keep steadily on the march.
make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to 14. On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem. On
enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, desperate ground, fight.
of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened 15. Those who were called skillful leaders of old knew
to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical how to drive a wedge between the enemy's front
purpose. and rear; to prevent co-operation between his large
27. If we know that our own men are in a condition to and small divisions; to hinder the good troops from
attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open rescuing the bad, the officers from rallying their men.
to attack, we have gone only halfway towards 16. When the enemy's men were united, they
victory. managed to keep them in disorder.
28. If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but 17. When it was to their advantage, they made a
are unaware that our own men are not in a condition forward move; when otherwise, they stopped still.
to attack, we have gone only halfway towards 18. If asked how to cope with a great host of the
victory. enemy in orderly array and on the point of marching
29. If we know that the enemy is open to attack, and to the attack, I should say: "Begin by seizing
also know that our men are in a condition to attack, something which your opponent holds dear; then he
but are unaware that the nature of the ground makes will be amenable to your will."
fighting impracticable, we have still gone only 19. Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of
halfway towards victory. the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by
30. Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.
never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is 20. The following are the principles to be observed by
never at a loss. an invading force: The further you penetrate into a
31. Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and country, the greater will be the solidarity of your
know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if troops, and thus the defenders will not prevail against
you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make you.
your victory complete. 21. Make forays in fertile country in order to supply
your army with food.
XI. The Nine Situations 22. Carefully study the well-being of your men, and
do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and
1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war recognizes nine varieties hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on
of ground: (1) Dispersive ground; (2) facile ground; (3) the move, and devise unfathomable plans.
contentious ground; (4) open ground; (5) ground of 23. Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is
intersecting highways; (6) serious ground; (7) difficult no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they
ground; (8) hemmed-in ground; (9) desperate will face death, there is nothing they may not
ground. achieve. Officers and men alike will put forth their
2. When a chieftain is fighting in his own territory, it is uttermost strength.
dispersive ground. 24. Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of
3. When he has penetrated into hostile territory, but to fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm.
no great distance, it is facile ground. If they are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn
4. Ground the possession of which imports great front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.
advantage to either side, is contentious ground. 25. Thus, without waiting to be marshaled, the soldiers
5. Ground on which each side has liberty of will be constantly on the qui vive; without waiting to
movement is open ground. be asked, they will do your will; without restrictions,
6. Ground which forms the key to three contiguous they will be faithful; without giving orders, they can be
states, so that he who occupies it first has most of the trusted.
Empire at his command, is a ground of intersecting 26. Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with
highways. superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no
7. When an army has penetrated into the heart of a calamity need be feared.
hostile country, leaving a number of fortified cities in 27. If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it
its rear, it is serious ground. is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their
8. Mountain forests, rugged steeps, marshes and fens- lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are
-all country that is hard to traverse: this is difficult disinclined to longevity.
ground. 28. On the day they are ordered out to battle, your
9. Ground which is reached through narrow gorges, soldiers may weep, those sitting up bedewing their
and from which we can only retire by tortuous paths, garments, and those lying down letting the tears run
so that a small number of the enemy would suffice to down their cheeks. But let them once be brought to
crush a large body of our men: this is hemmed in bay, and they will display the courage of a Chu or a
ground. Kuei.
10. Ground on which we can only be saved from 29. The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-
destruction by fighting without delay, is desperate jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the
ground. ChUng mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be
11. On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not. On attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be
facile ground, halt not. On contentious ground, attacked by its head; strike at its middle, and you will
attack not. be attacked by head and tail both.
30. Asked if an army can be made to imitate the 50. On hemmed-in ground, I would block any way of
shuai-jan, I should answer, Yes. For the men of Wu and retreat. On desperate ground, I would proclaim to my
the men of Yueh are enemies; yet if they are crossing soldiers the hopelessness of saving their lives.
a river in the same boat and are caught by a storm, 51. For it is the soldier's disposition to offer an obstinate
they will come to each other's assistance just as the resistance when surrounded, to fight hard when he
left hand helps the right. cannot help himself, and to obey promptly when he
31. Hence it is not enough to put one's trust in the has fallen into danger.
tethering of horses, and the burying of chariot wheels 52. We cannot enter into alliance with neighboring
in the ground. princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We
32. The principle on which to manage an army is to are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we
set up one standard of courage which all must reach. are familiar with the face of the country--its mountains
33. How to make the best of both strong and weak-- and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and
that is a question involving the proper use of ground. swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural
34. Thus the skillful general conducts his army just as advantages to account unless we make use of local
though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by guides.
the hand. 53. To be ignored of any one of the following four or
35. It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus five principles does not befit a warlike prince.
ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain 54. When a warlike prince attacks a powerful state,
order. his generalship shows itself in preventing the
36. He must be able to mystify his officers and men by concentration of the enemy's forces. He overawes his
false reports and appearances, and thus keep them opponents, and their allies are prevented from joining
in total ignorance. against him.
37. By altering his arrangements and changing his 55. Hence he does not strive to ally himself with all
plans, he keeps the enemy without definite and sundry, nor does he foster the power of other
knowledge. By shifting his camp and taking circuitous states. He carries out his own secret designs, keeping
routes, he prevents the enemy from anticipating his his antagonists in awe. Thus he is able to capture their
purpose. cities and overthrow their kingdoms.
38. At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts 56. Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders
like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks without regard to previous arrangements; and you
away the ladder behind him. He carries his men deep will be able to handle a whole army as though you
into hostile territory before he shows his hand. had to do with but a single man.
39. He burns his boats and breaks his cooking-pots;
like a shepherd driving a flock of sheep, he drives his 57. Confront your soldiers with the deed itself; never
men this way and that, and nothing knows whither he let them know your design. When the outlook is bright,
is going. bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when
40. To muster his host and bring it into danger:--this the situation is gloomy.
may be termed the business of the general. 58. Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive;
41. The different measures suited to the nine varieties plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in
of ground; the expediency of aggressive or defensive safety.
tactics; and the fundamental laws of human nature: 59. For it is precisely when a force has fallen into
these are things that must most certainly be studied. harm's way that is capable of striking a blow for
42. When invading hostile territory, the general victory.
principle is, that penetrating deeply brings cohesion; 60. Success in warfare is gained by carefully
penetrating but a short way means dispersion. accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.
43. When you leave your own country behind, and 61. By persistently hanging on the enemy's flank, we
take your army across neighborhood territory, you shall succeed in the long run in killing the
find yourself on critical ground. When there are commander-in-chief.
means of communication on all four sides, the ground 62. This is called ability to accomplish a thing by sheer
is one of intersecting highways. cunning.
44. When you penetrate deeply into a country, it is 63. On the day that you take up your command,
serious ground. When you penetrate but a little way, it block the frontier passes, destroy the official tallies,
is facile ground. and stop the passage of all emissaries.
45. When you have the enemy's strongholds on your 64. Be stern in the council-chamber, so that you may
rear, and narrow passes in front, it is hemmed-in control the situation.
ground. When there is no place of refuge at all, it is 65. If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.
desperate ground. 66. Forestall your opponent by seizing what he holds
46. Therefore, on dispersive ground, I would inspire my dear, and subtly contrive to time his arrival on the
men with unity of purpose. On facile ground, I would ground.
see that there is close connection between all parts 67. Walk in the path defined by rule, and
of my army. accommodate yourself to the enemy until you can
47. On contentious ground, I would hurry up my rear. fight a decisive battle.
48. On open ground, I would keep a vigilant eye on 68. At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until
my defenses. On ground of intersecting highways, I the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate
would consolidate my alliances. the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late
49. On serious ground, I would try to ensure a for the enemy to oppose you.
continuous stream of supplies. On difficult ground, I
would keep pushing on along the road. XII. The Attack by Fire
1. Sun Tzu said: There are five ways of attacking with heavy loss on the people and a drain on the
fire. The first is to burn soldiers in their camp; the resources of the State. The daily expenditure will
second is to burn stores; the third is to burn baggage amount to a thousand ounces of silver. There will be
trains; the fourth is to burn arsenals and magazines; commotion at home and abroad, and men will drop
the fifth is to hurl dropping fire amongst the enemy. down exhausted on the highways. As many as seven
2. In order to carry out an attack, we must have hundred thousand families will be impeded in their
means available. The material for raising fire should labor.
always be kept in readiness. 2. Hostile armies may face each other for years,
3. There is a proper season for making attacks with striving for the victory which is decided in a single
fire, and special days for starting a conflagration. day. This being so, to remain in ignorance of the
4. The proper season is when the weather is very dry; enemy's condition simply because one grudges the
the special days are those when the moon is in the outlay of a hundred ounces of silver in honors and
constellations of the Sieve, the Wall, the Wing or the emoluments, is the height of inhumanity.
Cross-bar; for these four are all days of rising wind. 3. One who acts thus is no leader of men, no present
5. In attacking with fire, one should be prepared to help to his sovereign, no master of victory.
meet five possible developments: 4. Thus, what enables the wise sovereign and the
6. (1) When fire breaks out inside to enemy's camp, good general to strike and conquer, and achieve
respond at once with an attack from without. things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is
7. (2) If there is an outbreak of fire, but the enemy's foreknowledge.
soldiers remain quiet, bide your time and do not 5. Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from
attack. spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from
8. (3) When the force of the flames has reached its experience, nor by any deductive calculation.
height, follow it up with an attack, if that is 6. Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be
practicable; if not, stay where you are. obtained from other men.
9. (4) If it is possible to make an assault with fire from 7. Hence the use of spies, of whom there are five
without, do not wait for it to break out within, but classes: (1) Local spies; (2) inward spies; (3) converted
deliver your attack at a favorable moment. spies; (4) doomed spies; (5) surviving spies.
10. (5) When you start a fire, be to windward of it. Do 8. When these five kinds of spy are all at work, none
not attack from the leeward. can discover the secret system. This is called "divine
11. A wind that rises in the daytime lasts long, but a manipulation of the threads." It is the sovereign's most
night breeze soon falls. precious faculty.
12. In every army, the five developments connected 9. Having local spies means employing the services of
with fire must be known, the movements of the stars the inhabitants of a district.
calculated, and a watch kept for the proper days. 10. Having inward spies, making use of officials of the
13. Hence those who use fire as an aid to the attack enemy.
show intelligence; those who use water as an aid to 11. Having converted spies, getting hold of the
the attack gain an accession of strength. enemy's spies and using them for our own purposes.
14. By means of water, an enemy may be 12. Having doomed spies, doing certain things openly
intercepted, but not robbed of all his belongings. for purposes of deception, and allowing our spies to
15. Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his know of them and report them to the enemy.
battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating 13. Surviving spies, finally, are those who bring back
the spirit of enterprise; for the result is waste of time news from the enemy's camp.
and general stagnation. 14. Hence it is that which none in the whole army are
16. Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his more intimate relations to be maintained than with
plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his spies. None should be more liberally rewarded. In no
resources. other business should greater secrecy be preserved.
17. Move not unless you see an advantage; use not 15. Spies cannot be usefully employed without a
your troops unless there is something to be gained; certain intuitive sagacity.
fight not unless the position is critical. 16. They cannot be properly managed without
18. No ruler should put troops into the field merely to benevolence and straightforwardness.
gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a 17. Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot
battle simply out of pique. make certain of the truth of their reports.
19. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if 18. Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every
not, stay where you are. kind of business.
20. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation 19. If a secret piece of news is divulged by a spy
may be succeeded by content. before the time is ripe, he must be put to death
together with the man to whom the secret was told.
21. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can 20. Whether the object be to crush an army, to storm
never come again into being; nor can the dead ever a city, or to assassinate an individual, it is always
be brought back to life. necessary to begin by finding out the names of the
22. Hence the enlightened ruler is heedful, and the attendants, the aides-de-camp, and door-keepers
good general full of caution. This is the way to keep a and sentries of the general in command. Our spies
country at peace and an army intact. must be commissioned to ascertain these.
21. The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us
XIII. The Use of Spies must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away
and comfortably housed. Thus they will become
1. Sun Tzu said: Raising a host of a hundred thousand converted spies and available for our service.
men and marching them great distances entails
22. It is through the information brought by the Nearby villagers did not find the tiger cub alarming,
converted spy that we are able to acquire and as he was smaller than a dog. But when spring came,
employ local and inward spies. he had grown much larger. He now had full teeth
23. It is owing to his information, again, that we can and claws. Hunters came to kill the young tiger.
cause the doomed spy to carry false tidings to the
enemy. Chen Ma protected her beloved tiger, saying, “I’ve
24. Lastly, it is by his information that the surviving spy lost my husband and my son. This tiger is my only
can be used on appointed occasions. companion. I shall go to the magistrate and request
25. The end and aim of spying in all its five varieties is to adopt him as my son.”
knowledge of the enemy; and this knowledge can
only be derived, in the first instance, from the The hunters thought the old woman had become ill.
converted spy. Hence it is essential that the But they decided not to kill the tiger without the
converted spy be treated with the utmost liberality. magistrate’s permission.

26. Of old, the rise of the Yin dynasty was due to I “Your request is unusual,” the magistrate said to Chen
Chih who had served under the Hsia. Likewise, the rise Ma. “This is a wild animal. Are you not afraid that
of the Chou dynasty was due to Lu Ya who had someday it might eat you?”
served under the Yin.
27. Hence it is only the enlightened ruler and the wise “What is there to fear?” replied the old woman with
general who will use the highest intelligence of the tears in her eyes. “I have lived a long life. My only
army for purposes of spying and thereby they worry is being left alone. This young tiger has been like
achieve great results. Spies are a most important a son to me. Please allow me to adopt him.”
element in water, because on them depends an
army's ability to move. The magistrate did not have the heart to refuse an
elderly woman, so he granted her wish.
THE TIGER SON
Based on an Ancient Chinese Tale by Po Chung-ling The magistrate gave the tiger a large copper
Chen Ma was an elderly widow who lived in a small pendant to wear around its neck so it would be
mud hut in a forest in the Shanxi Province. She lived protected from hunters. The words “Fu Chee” were
with her only son, a licensed tiger hunter, who engraved on the pendant, meaning “Tiger Son.”
followed in the footsteps of his father and Chen Ma knelt down in front of the magistrate to
grandfather. Whatever money he made from selling show her gratitude. Then she led Fu Chee back to
tiger skins, meat, and bones, helped him care for their home in the forest.
himself and his mother.
By next winter, Fu Chee had grown full-size. Whenever
One very cold winter, Chen Ma’s son became it became playful, it would thrash against the walls of
separated from his group of hunters and was eaten Chen Ma’s small hut. So Chen Ma reluctantly allowed
by a hungry tigress. Chen Ma, realizing that she was Fu Chee to make his home inside a nearby cave.
alone to care for herself, pleaded with the magistrate
to give her money. The magistrate promised to give The tiger came back to visit Chen Ma often, and
her a small amount of money from each tiger that always brought her gifts, such as a dead deer for
was killed by the hunters. The other hunters were not meat or a large tree branch for firewood. It was as if
happy with this news, as they had families to feed as her son was still alive and caring for her!
well.
Chen Ma lived until she was 100. Fu Chee guarded
One day, the hunters captured and killed the tigress her tomb every night for many years, until it suddenly
that ate Chen Ma’s son. Instead of giving her money, disappeared.
they brought her the tigress’ newborn cub. Upon
seeing this tiny, helpless creature, Chen Ma knew that Out of respect for Chen Ma and her tiger son, the
she couldn’t bear to kill it. hunters erected a stone monument at Chen Ma’s
tomb with Fu Chee’s story engraved on it.
The tiger cub lay at Chen Ma’s feet. She rubbed his
ears and he licked her shoes. Chen Ma sighed, “They This story of Chen Ma and her adopted tiger son, Fu
told me to kill you and use your flesh for meat. I could Chee is based on an Ancient Chinese Tale by Po
use your skin to make warm winter boots. I could use Chung-ling.
your bones for soup. But I cannot do that. You are so By the Lake
young and have so much life left in you, while I am at The old fellow from Shao-ling weeps with
the end of my life.” stifled sobs as he walks furtively by the bends of the
Sepentine on a day in spring. In the waterside
Chen Ma untied the rope from the cub’s neck. She
palaces the thousands of doors are locked. For whom
had roots and grains in her shed, which she was
planning to use for food throughout the winter. She have the willows and rushed put on their fresh
made a paste from the roots and fed it to the tiger greenery?
cub with her fingers. When her firewood began to run - The above verse talks about an old person from
low, Chen Ma slept against the baby tiger’s soft, the Shao-ling school of Martial arts, who stealthily
warm fur. walks by the bends by the serpentine river on a spring
day. Springtime is the time for joy – therefore he walks
furtively. The summer places are usually not locked,
but now the places are empty and there’s no one to - This talks about the decline of an Empire.
admire nature’s foliage. Generally in summer the Darkness approaches civilization there is not going to
watersides palaces are teeming with people, the be any good any more. He is headed for downfall but
Emperor and his entourage come to stay there in reminisces about the happier times of the past. He
summer. So despite spring being a time of joy, here it has to live in the present but he constantly looks back
seems to be an unhappy time. to the past, the good times of the empire for
I remember how formally, when the Emperor's sustenance. There is no hope, but one still hopes.
rainbow banner made its way into the South Park,
everything in the park seemed to bloom with a REPORTERS!
brighter color. The First Lady of the Chao-yang Palace QUILAS, JOHN BRIX C.
rode in the same carriage as her lord in attendance ABAN, ANA LIEZEL M.
at his side, while before the carriage rode maids of AQUINDE, EDERLYN B.
honor equipped with bows and arrows, their white -BEED IV-A-
horses champing at golden bits.
- The old man looks back at the good old days,
when everything seemed much happier before. This is
a retrospective view of the country in the past and
how it seemed brighter and more beautiful. The
Emperor and his Empress rode in a carriage along
with him. Before the carriage rode her attendants with
bows and arrows. Predominantly he is talking about
the good old days of the Tang dynasty when there
was peace, prosperity, and progress in trade and the
arts. “Champing at golden bits” refers to impatience.
Leaning back, face skywards, they shot into
the clouds; and the Lady laughed gaily when a bird
fell to the ground transfixed by a well-aimed arrow.
Where other bright eyes and the flashing smile now?
Tainted with blood-pollution, her wandering soul
cannot make its way back.
- The arrows were being aimed at birds, just like the
people are being aimed at by the conspirators. The
First Lady laughs at the site of a bird killed by an
arrow. Due to the An Lushan rebellion the First Lady
was murdered. Where have her bright eyes and
flashing smiles gone? An Lushan was half Chinese
and half Turkish. Therefore, he was not a pureblood
and therefore, considered to have polluted blood.
And in this blood-shed and unrest she cannot come
back. It could also be
talking about the fate of this country which
Du Fu felt might not be able to recover from this war
and reversal of fortunes. She has lost her life and
nothing can be done to bring it back.
The clear waters of the Wei flow eastwards,
and Chien-ko is far away: between the one who has
gone and the one who remains no communication is
possible. It is human to have feelings and shed tears
for such things; but the grasses and flowers of the
lakeside go on forever, unmoved.
- There is no way to bridge the gap between
the past and the present. There is no communication
between the good old days, and the present
sorrowful days. There seems to be no going back, the
good old days will not return. It is only human to have
emotions of sorrow because of such happenings.
Nature remains unmoved and untouched by all this.
As evening falls, the city is full of the dust of
foreign horseman. My way is towards the South City,
but my gaze turns northward.