Those whose upper and lower ranks have the same desire are victorious.

The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain.

Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.

Those skilled at making the enemy move do so by creating a situation to which he must conform; they entice him with something he is certain to take, and with lures of ostensible profit they await him in strength.

All battles are won before they start.

Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.

And regulation entails organizational effectiveness, a chain of command, and a structure for logistical support.