Skilled generals govern well and enforce military laws to control victory. Sun Tzu puts forward five linked factors deciding war outcomes. A winning army holds overwhelming strength and strikes with irresistible momentum.
Ordinary victories are not truly excellent. Elite warriors defeat already vulnerable foes without gaining fame. They secure an unbeatable position first. Victorious armies plan for wins before fighting, while defeated ones battle blindly for luck.
Skilled warriors first secure their own invincibility and wait for enemies’ weaknesses. Being unbeatable depends on oneself, while defeating foes relies on their flaws. Victory can be predicted, yet it cannot be forced to happen.
This part presents Sun Tzu’s famous maxim. Knowing both the enemy and yourself guarantees safety in all battles. Knowing only yourself leads to mixed results, while ignorance of both sides will bring certain defeat in every fight.
Sun Tzu puts forward five rules to predict victory: judging battle timing, deploying troops properly, uniting all ranks, staying fully prepared and letting capable generals command freely without royal interference.
Generals are vital to a state. Rulers may ruin the army by wrongly ordering advances or retreats, interfering in military affairs and commands. Confused troops will invite enemy attacks and lead to defeat.
Skilled warriors win full victories with minimal losses via strategies instead of direct fights. Sun Tzu also offers clear tactics: surround, assault, divide, fight, defend or flee based on troop strength, warning weak forces against stubborn resistance.