The value of time, that is of being a little ahead of your opponent, often provides greater advantage than superior numbers or greater resources.
It is the rule in war, if ten times the enemy's strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, be able to divide them; if equal, engage them; if fewer, defend against them; if weaker, be able to avoid them.
What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.
They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness.
Birds rising in flight is a sign that the enemy is lying in ambush; when the wild animals are startled and flee he is trying to take you unaware.
When a general, unable to estimate the enemy's strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one, and neglects to place picked soldiers in the front rank, the result must be rout.
If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.
Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical.
If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.
Now a soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is only on returning to camp.
To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.
At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.
If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.
It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.
When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.
He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.
These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.
When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporising ground.
When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or not he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin.
With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies. Then you will be able to fight with advantage.
If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high rampart and a deep ditch. All we need do is attack some other place that he will be obliged to relieve.
If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.
No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.
The general must be the first in the toils and fatigues of the army. In the heat of summer he does not spread his parasol nor in the cold of winter don thick clothing. In dangerous places he must dismount and walk. He waits until the army's wells have been dug and only then drinks; until the army's food is cooked before he eats; until the army's fortifications have been completed, to shelter himself.
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