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38 In the conduct of war, before all, strike quickly before the enemy is ready; and attack his unpreparedness from an unexpected quarter.

The way to fight in foreign lands. When in the heart of the enemy’s country the soldiers minds are united in the presence of danger, their hosts cannot defeat them. Plunder fertile plains, then the army’s provisions are sufficient ; be careful of the health of the soldiers; do not tire them uselessly; keep courage; store up strength; plan well and secretly; if there be no refuge the soldiers will not fly from death.

If there be no alternative but death, the soldiers exert themselves to the utmost.

In desperate places, soldiers lose the sense of fear.

If there be no place of refuge, there will be no wavering.

If deeply involved in the enemy’s country, there is unity.

If it be unavoidable, the soldiers will fight their hardest.

Even without warnings they are vigilant; they comply without insistence ; without restrictions they are tractable; without explicit instructions they will trust the general and obey him.

Prohibit the discussion of signs and omens, and remove the soldiers’ doubts; then to the moment of death they will be undistracted.

Our soldiers are poor, not because they hate money; they court danger, not ‘because they dislike long life.

When the order for attack is given, the collars of