When you shoot a bow and arrow, you aim at the clouds, not because you expect to hit them, but so that you may reach the distant target on the ground.

Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous.

Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

Now an army is exposed to six several calamities, not arising from natural causes, 1 but from faults for which the general is responsible. These are: (1) Flight; (2) insubordination; (3) collapse; (4) ruin; (5) disorganisation; (6) rout.

These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.

In the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.

Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and you know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you now Heaven and you know Earth, you may make your victory complete.