As has been said: “Know thyself; know the enemy; fear not for victory.”

Also, if the season and the opportunity be realised, and the ground known, complete victory is certain.


[XI]
THE NINE GROUNDS

Sun the Master said:—

In respect to the conduct of war there are:—

Distracting ground; disturbing ground; ground of contention; intersecting ground; path-ridden ground; deeply-involved ground; difficult ground; enclosed ground; death ground.

At all times, when the prince fights in his own territory, it is called distracting[13] ground.

That ground a short way inside the enemy’s border is called disturbing ground.