Chapter 8: Variation in Tactics
From Sun Tzu’s The Art of War (Lionel Giles translation, 1910).
On adapting to circumstance. Sun Tzu says the general who understands variation uses the terrain; the one who does not, even with knowledge, fails. He also lists the faults of commanders.
Key principles
- Adapt the rule to the situation; do not follow doctrine blindly.
- There are times to march and times to leave the ground alone.
- Avoid the five commander faults: recklessness, cowardice, a hasty temper, pride, and over-solicitude.
Quotations from this chapter
Drawn from our sourced lesson database — each links to its permanent page with the full interpretation.
“In war, the general receives his commands from the sovereign, collects his army and concentrates his forces.”
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“When in difficult country, do not encamp. In hemmed-in situations, you must resort to stratagem. In a desperate position, you must fight.”
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“There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.”
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“The general who thoroughly understands the advantages that accompany variation of tactics knows how to handle his troops.”
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“The student of war who is unversed in the art of varying his plans, even though acquainted with the Five Advantages, will fail to make the best use of his men.”
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Modern applications
- Treat best practice as a starting point, not a script; adjust to the specific case.
- Know your own managerial faults and design around them.
Related strategy topics
Sun Tzu on LeadershipSun Tzu for BusinessSun Tzu on Decision-MakingSun Tzu on RiskSun Tzu on CompetitionSun Tzu on PositioningSun Tzu on NegotiationSun Tzu on Conflict
Frequently asked questions
What are the “five faults” of generals in Chapter 8?
Sun Tzu lists recklessness (which leads to destruction), cowardice (captivity), a hasty temper (provocation), a delicacy of honor (shame), and over-solicitude for the troops (confusion). Each is a fixed trait that can be exploited.