War is a matter of vital importance to the state; a matter of life or death, the road either to survival or to ruin.  Hence, it is imperative that it be studied thoroughly.

Therefore, appraise it in terms of the five fundamental factors and make comparisons of the various conditions of the antagonistic sides in order to ascertain the results of a war.  The first of these factors is politics; the second, weather; the third, terrain; the fourth, the commander; and the fifth, doctrine.

Politics means the thing which causes the people to be in harmony with their ruler so that they will follow him in disregard of their lives and without fear of any danger.  Weather signifies night and day, cold and heat, fine days and rain, and change of seasons.  Terrain means distances, and refers to whether the ground is traversed with ease or difficulty and to whether it is open or constricted, and influences your chances of life or death.  The commander stands for the general’s qualities of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, and strictness.  Doctrine is to be understood as the organization of the army, the gradations of rank among the officers, the regulation of supply routes, and the provision of military materials to the army.