He who offers apologies and hostages, is anxious for a truce.
When both sides, eager for a fight, face each other for a considerable time, neither advancing nor retiring, the occasion requires the utmost vigilance and circumspection.
Numbers are no certain mark of strength.
Even if incapable of a headlong assault, if the forces be united, and the enemy’s condition ascertained, victory is possible.
He who without taking thought makes light of the enemy, is certain to be captured.
If a general who is strange to the troops punishes them, they cease to obey him. If they are not obedient, they cannot be usefully employed.
If the troops know the general, but are not affected by his punishments, they are useless.
By humane treatment we obtain obedience; authority brings uniformity. Thus we obtain victory.
If the men have been trained in obedience from the beginning, they respect their leader’s commands.
If the men are not early trained to obedience, they do not respect their leaders commands.
Orders are always obeyed, if the General and soldiers are in sympathy.
