He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.

One who sets the entire army in motion to chase an advantage will not attain it.

He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.

He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.

The proximity of an army causes prices to go up; and high prices cause people's substance to be drained away. When their substance is drained away, they will be afflicted by heavy exactions. With this loss of substance and exhaustion of strength, the homes of the people will be stripped bare, and their incomes dissipated.

Therefore a victorious army first wins and then seeks battle; a defeated army first battles and then seeks victory.