01.012 Force is the control of the balance of power...

[sonshi]

Force is the control of the balance of power, in accordance with advantages.

Yes, I agree.

I have long believed that "force" is not defined explicitly as being just limited to the number of men under arms or weapons.

In my view, "force" can include, for example, the element of "time." Striking at the right moment, perhaps under the cover of darkness, is essential to achieving the element of surprise.

Also, creating the false perception that one has a far larger force than one actually does, is also a form of "force." Managing battlefield perceptions is key.

Whether in the martial world or in the business world, there is something to be said for creating and sustaining false fronts.

-BingFa

[HALBLEU]

Great points by Sonshi and Bing Fa.

As written in AoW, there are many ways of influencing the opposition.

Creating a false perception within the mind of the opposition is a top strategic priority for all smart strategists.

I have seen this type of gameplaying in my poker and chess games. The guys and gals that are doing it are so unassuming.
Make one wrong presumption against these professional game wizards. They will take advantage of you and eat you for dinner. Ha! Ha! Ha!

A lesson that I have remembered for the rest of my life.

[markb287]

"Force is the control of the balance of power, in accordance with advantages."-Sun-tzu.

Force is what shows the difference between strategy and strength. Strength on its own is not a sure way of winning; one must use strategy in order to properly use this strength. Force therefore essential in realizing the skill in attack, or the strength in defense.

[MonteChristo]

The power is of no use if it is not under control of the commander. If it is then it can be used in the precise manner to achieve desired goal according to the overall plan. Otherwise it might be difficult to predict the course of the operation.

Disposing the force may weaken the army as its resources are engaged and cannot be used elsewhere. Also the resources can be depleted in action. If the commander wishes to use its force then resources are to be allocated according to the advantages and weaknesses of the opponent should be exploited.

[gonzo]

Ahhh, yes. This one is probably my favorite quote to date.

Force is the control of the balance of power, in accordance with advantages.

Having power is nothing, unless you have some kind of advantage in which to use it. Everybody has a limited amount of power, but those without the advantage to use it with are unsuccessful.

So many people think that power is the key. FORCE is the key.

Gonzo

The consummate strategist focuses on using the least amount of force to prove his power. This thought and action comes many stages of preliminary pre-staging and pre-positioning.

In the martial arts community, the world class master always prevail by using the process of no-effort in his or her combat.

[chali]

Be careful not to fall into the trap of the translations. shi is not just "force" -- it's tension as of opposing forces, like the pressure of water and the strength of the dam. To make a change it is only necessary to disturb that balance slightly.

In inner forms of wusu, one doesn't meet a blow with counteracting force; one simply guides the force in a slightly different direction.

Thus, when one understands the five attributes and their balance, one sees/grasps the shi and can guide it to advantage.

[Sr_Tokes_Alot]

This is an equation. Although it may not hold up to scientific scrutiny, Sun Tzu is giving us relationships to define three important aspects of War.

If there are no advantages (no deception, same number of troops with the same weapons on equally familiar ground, etc) for either side, then no one wins because force is equal. Theoretically, they will either never fight, or will kill each other fighting.

Now, add advantages to the equation and the calculations become quite complex. To determine who has more force, one must predict the advantages of the enemy and of his own army. Ultimately, the strategist will want to use the enemy’s power as part of his own force. This is done through advantages.

Just as you are calculating your enemy’s advantages, so he is calculating yours. Keeping advantages secret is very important. Making your enemy believe you have an advantage when you do not can also be important because it renders his calculations less valid. Advantages are most often the object of deception.


Toker

[Lonestar]

- Force is the control of the balance of power, in accordance with advantages.

Here is another example of one of my favorite words in the Sun Tzu - "Shih". "Shih" is most comonly translated as "Force" simply because that is a single word that comes close to conveying the actual meaning of "shih". Actually, "Shih" is very complex. Here we get a glimpse of the complexity of the word. How do you truly define "control" and "balance" and "power" and what are "advantages". As stated previously in one form or another, the balance of power is not simply counting heads and seeing which army has the most. Power, is consideration of the Tao, the totalilty of a situation, "heaven and ground", the condition of the troops, the supply lines, everything that effects the battle. When all of that is taken into consideration, then "shih" is a truly awesome "force".

Humbly,


Lonestar

[chali]

Yes.

I like to compare shi to a drawn bow. The force is there, inherent in the situation and position of the bow, the arrow, and the string. What the Damnma folks call the "node" is the instant of intention in which the arrow is released.

Yes Chali and Lonestar, I agree. You both made good points.

Thanks.

-BingFa

[Theo17]

you must know how far you can, go with what you have. there must be a balance, you can't be too aggresive, nor too defensive, know your advantages, and how far you can go with them.

Sun Tzu said, "Force is the control of the balance of power, in accordance with advantages."

Economically use your resources to focus the maximum amount of force on a path that has the least friction to a point where the opposition has little or no resistance to react to your plan. "Hit the enemy where he ain’t".

[JC]

"...create force..." "Force is..."

Tip the scales your way. Take all that the enemy offers and more. I believe that winning is exponential. I.e., a chess game may not be won by a hundred good moves, but it can be lost with one bad move. ONE bad move... The advantage appears (or was created) and then exploited to its fullest potential (checkmate!).