These five things are the heralds of victory.
It has been said aforetime that he who knows both sides has nothing to fear in a hundred fights; he who is ignorant of the enemy, and fixes his eyes only on his own side, conquers, and the next time is defeated; he who not only is ignorant of the enemy, but also of his own resources, is invariably defeated.
[IV]
THE ORDER OF BATTLE
Sun the Master said:—
The ancient masters of war first made their armies invincible, then waited until the adversary could with certainty be defeated.
The causes of defeat come from within; victory is born in the enemy’s camp.
Skilful soldiers make defeat impossible, and further render the enemy incapable of victory.
But, as it is written, the conditions necessary for victory may be present, but they cannot always be obtained.