Read2Me - The Art of War Name and picture from twetch — not on-chain. The signature is; the profile is not.

“It will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in his turn; then, when part of his army has come out, we may deliver our attack with advantage.”

“When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporizing ground.”

“From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is prepared for your coming, and you fail to defeat him, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue.”

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

“Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible. With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies.”

“We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: Accessible ground; entangling ground; temporizing ground; narrow passes; precipitous heights; positions at a great distance from the enemy.”

“If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.”

“Therefore soldiers must be treated in the first instance with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline. This is a certain road to victory.”

“If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be useless.”

“If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless.”

“He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.”

“What we can do is simply to concentrate all our available strength, keep a close watch on the enemy, and obtain reinforcements.”

“If our troops are no more in number than the enemy, that is amply sufficient; it only means that no direct attack can be made.”

“If the enemys troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or taking themselves off again, the situation is one that demands great vigilance.”

“When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.”

“Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at the end of his resources; too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress.”

“The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank and file.”

“When an army feeds its horses with grain and kills its cattle for food, and when the men do not hang their cooking-pots over the camp-fires, showing that they will not return to their tents, you may know that they are determined to fight to the death.”

“If there is disturbance in the camp, the generals authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary.”

“If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied. Clamor by night betokens nervousness.”

“If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained and makes no effort to secure it, the soldiers are exhausted.”

“If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst.”

“When some are seen advancing and some retreating, it is a lure. When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.”

“When there is much running about and the soldiers fall into rank, it means that the critical moment has come.”

“When the light chariots come out first and take up a position on the wings, it is a sign that the enemy is forming for battle. Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.”

“Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is about to advance. Violent language and driving forward as if to the attack are signs that he will retreat.”

“When it branches out in different directions, it shows that parties have been sent to collect firewood. A few clouds of dust moving to and fro signify that the army is encamping.”

“When there is dust rising in a high column, it is the sign of chariots advancing; when the dust is low, but spread over a wide area, it betokens the approach of infantry.”

“The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming.”

“The appearance of a number of screens in the midst of thick grass means that the enemy wants to make us suspicious.”