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

When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope; if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if round-shaped to go rolling down.

Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability.

The dance of battle is always played to the same impatient rhythm. What begins in a surge of violent motion is always reduced to the perfectly still.

The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.

The proximity of an army causes prices to go up; and high prices cause people's substance to be drained away. When their substance is drained away, they will be afflicted by heavy exactions. With this loss of substance and exhaustion of strength, the homes of the people will be stripped bare, and their incomes dissipated.

In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.