The Book of War The Military Classic of the Far East

Again, there are six calamities among the troops, arising, not from defect of ground, or lack of opportunity, but from the general's incapacity. These are: repulse, relaxation, distress, disorganisation, confusion and rout. If troops be sent to attack an enemy of equal quality, but ten times their number, they retire discomfited. Strong soldiers with weak officers cause relaxation. Able officers with feeble soldiers cause distress. Enraged senior officers, who fall upon the enemy without orders, and obey not the general because he does not recognise their abilities, produce disorganisation. Weak and amiable generals, whose directions and leadership are vague, whose officers' and men's duties are not fixed, and whose dispositions are contradictory, produce confusion. Generals, who are unable to estimate the enemy, who oppose small numbers to large, weakness to strength, and who do not put picked men in the van of the army, cause it to be routed. These six things lead to defeat. It is the duty of the general to study them carefully. Ground is the handmaid of victory. Ability to estimate the enemy, and plan the victory; an eye for steepness, command and distances: these are the qualities of the good general. Whosoever knows these things, conquers; he who understands them not, is defeated. If victory be certain from the military standpoint, fight, even if the lord forbid. If defeat be certain from the military standpoint, do not fight, even though the lord commands it. The general who advances, from no thought of his own glory, or retires, regardless of punishment; but only strives for the people's welfare, and his lord's advantage, is a treasure to the state. The good general cares for his soldiers, and lovingly treats them as his children; as a consequence they follow him through deep valleys, and are beside him in death.…