The army that conquers makes certain of victory, and then seeks battle.
The army destined to defeat, fights, trusting that chance may bring success to its arms.
The skilful leader is steadfast in the “Way”; upholds the Law, and thereby controls the issue.
Touching the laws of war, it is said: first, the rule; second, the measure; third, the tables; fourth, the scales; fifth, the foretelling of victory.
For the rule is the survey of land; the measure tells the amount of that land's produce; the tables its population; from the seales their weight or quality is made known; and then can we calculate victory or defeat.
The army that conquers as against the army destined to defeat, is as a beam against a feather in the scales. The attack of conquering forces is as the outburst of long-pent-up waters into sunken valleys.
Such are the orders of battle.
