Classical Text 古典文獻 · Sun Tzu Art of War 孫子兵法
Chapter 11 — The Nine Situations
九地 (The Nine Situations)
九地
The Nine Situations
Chapter 11
Chapter Summary
本章概要
Describes the nine common stages (or conditions) in a campaign, from scattering to deadly, and the specific focus that a commander will need in order to successfully navigate them.
Key Quote
重要引語
投之亡地然後存，陷之死地然後生。
“Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight.”
Application in the Five Arts
五術應用
In BaZi: The "Death and Emptiness" (Kong Wang) or a chart completely devoid of Resource can force the "Abandoning the Life" (Cong Shi) pattern, where total surrender leads to ultimate survival and success.
Study Translation
導讀譯文
Core teaching. Describes the nine common stages (or conditions) in a campaign, from scattering to deadly, and the specific focus that a commander will need in order to successfully navigate them.
Canonical maxim. Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. 投之亡地然後存，陷之死地然後生。
Chapter focus. Chapter 11 (九地) maps the psychological and strategic progression of forces through nine distinct campaign phases, each requiring tailored command.
Source. Sunzi Bingfa (孫子兵法), public-domain classical editions.
Liuren Fajiao Commentary
六壬法教評注
Five Arts application. In BaZi: The "Death and Emptiness" (Kong Wang) or a chart completely devoid of Resource can force the "Abandoning the Life" (Cong Shi) pattern, where total surrender leads to ultimate survival and success.
Tactical insight. The nine situations illustrate how context dictates strategy; in dire straits, resilience can turn desperation into victory.
Study point. Chapter 11 is renowned for its paradoxical wisdom on using adversity as a catalyst for unity and success.
Source Note
來源說明
Source: Sun Tzu Art of War (孫子兵法), Chapter 11