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

Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

Bestow rewards without respect to customary practice; publish orders without respect to precedent. Thus you may employ the entire army as you would one man.

One who speaks deferentially but increases his preparations will advance. One who speaks belligerently and advances hastily will retreat.

If their forces are substantial, prepare for them; if their forces are strong, avoid them.

No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.