Classical Text 古典文獻 · Sun Tzu Art of War 孫子兵法
Chapter 3 — Attack by Stratagem
謀攻 (Attack by Stratagem)
謀攻
Attack by Stratagem
Chapter 3
Chapter Summary
本章概要
Defines the source of strength as unity, not size, and discusses the five factors that are needed to succeed in any war. In order of importance, these critical factors are: Attack, Strategy, Alliances, Army and Cities.
Key Quote
重要引語
百戰百勝，非善之善者也；不戰而屈人之兵，善之善者也。
“Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.”
Application in the Five Arts
五術應用
In Exorcism (Zhu You): The highest mastery is not dramatic, exhausting battle with entities, but redirecting the entity's own Qi so it leaves of its own accord.
Study Translation
導讀譯文
Core teaching. Defines unity as the source of strength and outlines five critical factors for success: Attack, Strategy, Alliances, Army, and Cities, in order of importance.
Canonical maxim. Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. 百戰百勝，非善之善者也；不戰而屈人之兵，善之善者也。
Chapter frame. Chapter 3 (謀攻 (Attack by Stratagem)) presents the hierarchy of strategic priorities and the ideal of achieving victory through psychological and strategic dominance rather than direct combat.
Source note. Source: Sunzi Bingfa (孫子兵法), public-domain classical editions; portal synthesis for bilingual study.
Liuren Fajiao Commentary
六壬法教評注
Five Arts application. In Exorcism (Zhu You): The highest mastery is not dramatic, exhausting battle with entities, but redirecting the entity's own Qi so it leaves of its own accord.
Interpretive note. In Liuren Fajiao, this chapter elevates the concept of winning without conflict, applying it to rituals that resolve issues through subtle influence rather than force.
Research note. This chapter introduces the philosophical pinnacle of Sunzi's thought, emphasizing intellect over brute force.
Source Note
來源說明
Source: Sun Tzu Art of War (孫子兵法), Chapter 3