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

A battle avoided cannot be lost.

You cannot know if you will be successful or not. You can only prepare for battle and it must be done with all of your heart and with all of your consciousness. In that manner, you will have an edge.

As water has no constant form, there are in war no constant conditions.

Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.

When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.

Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.