Confront your soldiers with the deed itself; never let them know your design. 671 When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.

Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety. 672

For it is precisely when a force has fallen into harm’s way that is capable of striking a blow for victory. 673

Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy’s purpose. 674