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Son the master said:

The ancient masters of war first made their position impregnable, then waited until the adversary’s condition gave promise of victory. That was a consummation whereby success was made certain, and likewise failure to the adversary.

Skilful soldiers can make their armies invincible, but they cannot always put the enemy in a conquerable position.

The conditions necessary for victory may be present, but it cannot always be obtained.

If the enemy be invincible, we stand on the defensive and await an opportunity; if he be vulnerable, we attack.

Conceal your strength in defence; shew your banners in attack.

The skilful in defence, crouch, hidden in the deepest shades; the skilful in attack, push to the topmost heaven.

If these precepts be observed, victory is certain.

A victory, even if popularly proclaimed as such by the common folk, may not be a true sucesssuccess [sic]. To win in fight, and for the kingdom to say, "Well done", is not the perfection of attainment. To lift an