There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.
The business of a general is to kick away the ladder behind soldiers when they have climbed up a height.
In the tumult and uproar, the battle seems chaotic, but there is no disorder, the troops appear to be milling about in circles but cannot be defeated.
There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefitted.
Rapidity is the essence of war.
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.