Sun Tsu

[asiatrader98]

Missteps

“What we don’t do is critical. It is the missteps that kill us.”
 :-k

-Sun Tsu

[Maxforce]

SECRECY
And when I prepare for battle, the enemy must not know where I intend to give a battle
For if he prepares to the front, his rear will be weak, and if to the rear, his front will be fragile. If he prepares to the left, his right will be vulnerable and if to the right, there will be few on his left. And when he prepares everywhere, he will be weak everywhere

Subtle! Subtle!
They become formless.
Mysterious! Mysterious!
They become soundless.
Therefore, they are the masters of the enemy's fate.

[Maxforce]

Entering the Trade
Warfare is a great matter to a nation; it is the ground of death and of life;
it is the way of survival and of destruction, and must be examined thorougly

Therefore, those skilled in warfare establish positions that make them invincible and do not miss opportunities to attack the enemy.
Therefore, a victorious army first obtains conditions for victory, then seeks to do battle.
A defeated army first seeks to do battle, then obtains conditions for victory

[Maxforce]

Emotions
If the general cannot control his temper and sends troops to swarm the walls, one third of them will be killed, and the city will still not be taken.

Therefore, there are five dangerous traits of a general:
He who is reckless can be killed.
He who is cowardly can be captured.
He who is quick tempered can be insulted.
He who is moral can be shamed.
He who is fond of the people can be worried.
These five traits are faults in a general, and are disastrous in warfare.

[Maxforce]

Knowledge
By not knowing the army's matters, and administering the army the same as administering civil matters, the officers and troops will be confused.

By not knowing the army's calculations, and taking command of the army, the officers and troops will be hesitant

[Maxforce]

Self Control
One who knows when he can fight, and when he cannot fight, will be victorious; one who knows how to use both large and small forces will be victorious

[Maxforce]

Preparation
one who is prepared and waits for the unprepared will be victorious; one whose general is able and is not interfered by the ruler will be victorious

One who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be in danger in a hundred battles. 
One who does not know the enemy but knows himself will sometimes win, sometimes lose.
One who does not know the enemy and does not know himself will be in danger in every battle

[Maxforce]

Size of Trades
Generally, commanding of many is like commanding of a few.
It is a matter of dividing them into groups.

Doing battle with a large army is like doing battle with a small army.
It is a matter of communications through flags and pennants

[Maxforce]

Chasing
Generally the one who first occupies the battlefield awaiting the enemy is at ease;
the one who comes later and rushes into battle is fatigued

[Maxforce]

Principles of Trade
Therefore, the principles of warfare are:
Do not attack an enemy that has the high ground;
do not attack an enemy that has his back to a hill;
do not pursue feigned retreats; do not attack elite troops;
do not swallow the enemy's bait; do not thwart an enemy retreating home.
If you surround the enemy, leave an outlet; do not press an enemy that is cornered.
These are the principles of warfare

[Maxforce]

Use of TA
If trees move, he is advancing;
if there are obstacles placed in the undergrowth, he wants to make us suspicious;
if the birds take flight, he is lying in ambush;
if the animals are in fear, he is preparing to attack;
if dust is high in straight columns, his chariots are advancing;
if dust is low and wide, his infantry is advancing.
If the dust is scattered, he is gathering wood;
if the dust is sparse, coming and going, he is encamping.
If he speaks humbly, but increases warfare readiness, he will advance.
If he speaks belligerently and advances aggressively, he will retreat.
If he speaks apologetically, he needs a rest.
If his light chariots move first and take position on the flanks, he is setting up for battle.
If he seeks peace without a treaty, he is calculating.
If he sets up his troops rapidly, he is expecting reinforcements.
If half of his troops advances and half of his troops retreats, he is trying to lure you.
If the troops lean on their weapons, they are hungry.
If the troops who draw water drink first, they are thirsty.
If he sees advantage but does not take it, he is tired.
If birds gather, he is not there.
If his troops cry at night, they are afraid.
If the army is unsettled, the general is weak.
If the enemy's flags and pennants move about, he is in chaos.
If the officers are irritable, they are exhausted.
If his horses are fed grain and his men meat, no longer hangs up cooking pots, and does not return to camp, he is desperate.
If troops constantly gather in small groups and whisper together, he has lost his men.
If he gives out rewards frequently, he is running out of resources.
If he gives out punishments frequently, he is dire straits.
If he is brutal at first, and then fears the masses, he is the extreme of ineptitude.
If he comes with offerings, he wants to rest.
If his troops confront you with anger, but do not do battle or leave their position, he must be investigated

[survivor]

I don't have the book with me at the moment but here is one from memory and if remember correctly, right in the beginning of the book..before his more profound rules:

Money management

The main aim of the General is Preservation of his Troops.


How about it?

[Maxforce]

Good quote. 
About right - I remember reading something like that