Chapter 10: Terrain
From Sun Tzu’s The Art of War (Lionel Giles translation, 1910).
Six kinds of ground and the commander’s responsibility for them. Sun Tzu holds the leader accountable: defeat from bad ground or from the troops’ own failure is the general’s fault, not fate.
Key principles
- Know the six grounds: accessible, entangling, stalemate, narrow, precipitous, distant.
- The general is responsible for losses caused by his own orders.
- Troops must know the reason for an order to follow it well.
Quotations from this chapter
Drawn from our sourced lesson database — each links to its permanent page with the full interpretation.
“Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.”
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“The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.”
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“If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.”
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“We may distinguish six kinds of terrain: accessible, entangling, temporising, narrow passes, precipitous heights, and positions at a great distance.”
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“With regard to accessible ground, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies.”
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Modern applications
- Name the type of situation you are in before choosing a move.
- Take ownership of avoidable failures; do not blame the market for your own positioning.
Related strategy topics
Sun Tzu on LeadershipSun Tzu on Decision-MakingSun Tzu for InvestorsSun Tzu on RiskSun Tzu for BusinessSun Tzu on CompetitionSun Tzu on PositioningSun Tzu on NegotiationSun Tzu on TimingSun Tzu on Conflict
Frequently asked questions
What are the six types of terrain in Chapter 10?
Sun Tzu names accessible ground, entangling ground, stalemate ground, narrow passes, precipitous heights, and distant ground — and gives the right conduct for each. The deeper point is that the commander must read the ground before acting.