The Art of War

by Sun Tzu

“If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, then the general is to blame.”

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.

Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at the end of his resources; too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress.

When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixed duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter DISORGANIZATION.

Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength.

The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy’s not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.

If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose.

“The warlike prince controls his soldiers by his authority, kits them together by good faith, and by rewards makes them serviceable. If faith decays, there will be disruption; if rewards are deficient, commands will not be respected.”]