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| Therefore, to forecast the outcome of a war the attributes of the antagonistic sides should be analyzed by making the following seven comparisons: |
| 1. | Which sovereign possesses greater moral influence? |
| 2. | Which commander is more capable? |
| 3. | Which side holds more favorable conditions in weather and terrain? |
| 4. | On which side are decrees better implemented? |
| 5. | Which side is superior in arms? |
| 6. | On which side are officers and men better trained? |
| 7. | Which side is stricter and more impartial in meting out rewards and punishments? |
| By means of these seven elements, I can forecast victory or defeat. |
| If the sovereign heeds these stratagems of mine and acts upon them, he will surely win the war, and I shall, therefore, stay with him. If the sovereign neither heeds nor acts upon them, he will certainly suffer defeat, and I shall leave. |