The Art of War by Sun Tzu

I Laying plans contd...

11. These five heads [(1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.] should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.


Notes by Zephyrist:

Quite simply if you enter battle without considering the five constant factors you will loose.