It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy’s one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; 231 if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two. 232

If equally matched, we can offer battle; 233 if slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy; 234 if quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him.

Hence, though an obstinate fight may be made by a small force, in the end it must be captured by the larger force. 235

Now the general is the bulwark of the State; if the bulwark is complete at all points; the State will be strong; if the bulwark is defective, the State will be weak. 236