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8. There are not more than five primary colours (blue, yellow,

red, white, and black), yet in combination they produce more hues

than can ever be seen.

9 There are not more than five cardinal tastes (sour, acrid,

salt, sweet, bitter), yet combinations of them yield more

flavours than can ever be tasted.

10. In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack-the

direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise

to an endless series of manoeuvers.

11. The direct and the indirect lead on to each other in turn. It

is like moving in a circle-you never come to an end. Who can

exhaust the possibilities of their combination?

12. The onset of troops is like the rush of a torrent which will

even roll stones along in its course.

13. The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a

falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.