Key Arguments

• He contrasts the winning general who makes “many calculations” with the losing one who makes few
• He asserts predictive power from the degree of prior calculation, enabling foresight about likely winners and losers

Source Quotes

26. Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand.

Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. 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!

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.

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.

Key Concepts

• Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought.
• 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.

Context

Chapter i. Laying Plans (lines 58–123); methodological emphasis on pre-engagement analysis and planning.