Qualities and Authority of the General

From The Art of War by Sun Tzu
The general embodies five virtues, must possess autonomous authority once in the field, and must guard against five fatal defects of character.
Chapter 1, verse 7

The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, and strictness.

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Chapter 8, verse 12

The five dangerous faults of a general: recklessness (leads to destruction), cowardice (leads to capture), hasty temper (provoked by insults), delicacy of honor (sensitive to shame), over-solicitude for men (worry).

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Chapter 3, verses 17-18

Critique of sovereign interference: the ruler brings misfortune by commanding the army to advance when ignorant of the situation, or by ruling through unfamiliarity with military principles.

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