"First, reason; second, preparation; third, determination; fourth, vigilance; fifth, simplicity. "With reason, a multitude can be controlled like a small number. "Preparedness sees an enemy outside the gate. "Determination before the enemy has no thought of life. "Even after a victory, vigilance behaves as before the first encounter. "Simplicity ensures few regulations, and preserves order. "When the leader receives his orders, he forthwith departs. Not until the enemy has been vanquished does he speak of return. This is the duty of the general. "Wherefore, from the day of departure of the army, the general seeks glory in death, and dreams not of return in dishonour." Wu the Master said:-- "In war there are four important influences. "First, spirit; second, ground; third, opportunity; fourth, force. "The military value of the nation's forces--of one hundred times ten thousand fighting men--depends upon the personality of one man alone; this is called the influence of spirit. "When the road is steep and narrow, when there are famous mountains and fastnesses where ten men can defend and one thousand cannot pass them by; such is the influence of ground. "When spies have been skilfully sown, and mounted men pass to and from the enemy's camp, so that his masses are divided, his sovereign and ministers vexed with each other, and superiors and inferiors mutually censorious; this is the moment of opportunity. "When the linch-pins are secure, the oars and sweeps ready for use in the boats, the armed men trained for war, and the horses exercised, we have what is called the influence of force. "He who understands these four matters has the qualifications of a general. Furthermore, dignity, virtue, benevolence, courage, are needed to lead the troops, to calm the multitude, to put fear in the enemy, to remove doubts. When orders are issued, the subordinates do not defy them. Wheresoever the army is, that place the enemy avoids. If these four virtues be present, the country is strong; if they be not present, the country is overthrown. "Of such is the good general." Wu the Master said:-- "The use of drums and bells is to attract the ear; of flags, standards, and banners to strike the eye; of laws and penalties to put fear in the heart. "To attract the ear the sound must be clear; to strike the eye the colours must be bright. The heart is awed by punishment, therefore punishment must be strict. "If these three matters be not ordered, the state may, peradventure, be preserved, but defeat by the enemy is certain. Therefore, as it has been said (if these three things be present), there is no departing from the commands of the general; when he orders, there is no going back from death." Wu the Master said:-- "The secret of war is, first, to know who is the enemy's general, and to judge his ability. If our plans depend on his dispositions, then success will be achieved without toil.