Formlessness and Adaptation

From The Art of War by Sun Tzu
The highest military art is to be without discernible form, adapting to the enemy as water adapts to terrain. Tactics must change with circumstances.
Chapter 6 (Weak Points and Strong), verses 27-32

'Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards.' The famous water analogy: as water has no constant shape, so in war there are no constant conditions.

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Chapter 8 (Variation in Tactics)

Entire chapter devoted to the necessity of adapting plans to circumstance rather than adhering to fixed doctrines.

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