There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune on his army: By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called hobbling the army. By attempting to govern an army in the same way as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of the conditions which obtain in an army. This causes restlessness in the soldier's minds. By employing the officers of his army without discrimination, through ignorance of the military principle of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers.

Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.

If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.

A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.

Without harmony in the State, no military expedition can be undertaken; without harmony in the army, no battle array can be formed.

A battle avoided cannot be lost.

So it is that good warriors take their stance on ground where they cannot lose, and do not overlook conditions that make an opponent prone to defeat.