He wins his battles by making no mistakes.
Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means
conquering an enemy that is already defeated.
Hence the skillful fighter puts himself into a position which
makes defeat impossible, and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy.
So, in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and strike at
what is weak
Now a soldier’s spirit is keenest in the morning;
by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is bent
only on returning to camp.A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when
its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return.
This is the art of studying moods.
Disciplined and calm, to await the appearance of disorder and
hubbub amongst the enemy:–this is the art of retaining self-possession.
To be near the goal while the enemy is still far from it, to wait
at ease while the enemy is toiling and struggling, to be well-fed while the
enemy is famished:–this is the art of husbanding one’s strength.
To refrain from intercepting an enemy whose banners are in
perfect order, to refrain from attacking an army drawn up in calm and confident
array:–this is the art of studying circumstances.