When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixed duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization.

This does not mean that the enemy is to be allowed to escape. The object is to make him believe that there is a road to safety, and thus prevent his fighting with the courage of despair. After that, you may crush him.

A sovereign of high character and intelligence must be able to know the right man, should place the responsibility on him, and expect results.

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

Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling.

Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical.

You can ensure the success of your attacks if you only attack places that are undefended. You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked. Therefore, that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.