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All warfare is based on deception.
Poker
It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.
In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack - the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers.
Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline, simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.
Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.
Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.
28. Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.
32. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.
Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.
A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods.
Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with
36. When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard. 37. Such is the art of warfare.
How to interpret
When, in consequence of heavy rains up-country, a river which you wish to ford is swollen and flecked with foam, you must wait until it subsides.
When the enemy is close at hand and remains quiet, he is relying on the natural strength of his position.
30. If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst.
Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at the end of his resources; too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress.
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Therefore soldiers must be treated in the first instance with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline. This is a certain road to victory.
If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.
If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands;
Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.
Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.
Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.
Confront your soldiers with the deed itself; never let them know your design. When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.
17. 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.
Thus, what enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is FOREKNOWLEDGE.
Hence it is that which none in the whole army are more intimate relations to be maintained than with spies. None should be more liberally rewarded. In no other business should greater secrecy be preserved.
