Admonitions for Generals

The Book of Documents says: "If you treat a gentleman lightly, you cannot gain his true heart; if you treat a petty man contemptuously, you cannot make him exert his full strength." Therefore, the key to using troops lies in winning over the hearts of heroic people, strictly clarifying the rules of reward and punishment, possessing both the civil and martial ways, grasping the techniques of firmness and softness, teaching ritual and music and enriching poetry and books, and establishing benevolence and righteousness before discussing wisdom and courage. When still, be silent like a hidden fish; when moving, be swift like a rushing otter. Disrupt the enemy's connections and break his strong points. Display power with banners and flags and unify advance and retreat with gongs and drums. Retreat as steadily as a mountain moving; advance as swiftly as wind and rain; rout the enemy as if crushing him; join battle like a fierce tiger. For an enemy who presses close, let him relax; lure him with profit; take him while he is in chaos; show weakness to make him arrogant; use......