When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or no he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin.

There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: Recklessness, which leads to destruction;

To muster his host and bring it into danger:—this may be termed the business of the general.

Having local spies means employing the services of the inhabitants of a district.

These are the five besetting sins of a general, ruinous to the conduct of war.

By means of water, an enemy may be intercepted, but not robbed of all his belongings.

Make forays in fertile country in order to supply your army with food.

Bestow rewards without regard to rule,

Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of the trigger.

That the impact of your army may be like a grindstone dashed against an egg—this is effected by the science of weak points and strong.