Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled against another ten times its size, the result will be the flight of the former.

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.

If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.

With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy.

Of all those in the army close to the commander, none is more intimate than the secret agent.

He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.

Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.