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nydus/The Art of WarPublic
Page 62 of 209
Table of Contents

Chapter I. LAYING PLANS

between them."]

  1. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
  1. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.
  1. Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought.

[Chang Yu tells us that in ancient times it was customary for a temple to be set apart for the use of a general who was about to take the field, in order that he might there elaborate his plan of campaign.]

The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.

[1] "Words on Wellington," by Sir. W. Fraser.

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