Final answer:
The passages describe the vital aspects of military leadership, highlighting the importance of discipline, strategic decision-making based on a variety of factors, and the need for a commander to adapt to changing situations and not act on emotion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question delves into the principles of military leadership and strategy, highlighting the importance of discipline, the judgment of commanders, strategic advantages, and the factors influencing war as dictated by the ancient text 'The Art of War'. A commander's decision-making is crucial and must be based on the comprehensive understanding of different aspects like moral law, heaven, earth, the commander's virtues, and method and discipline. The consequences of disobedience, lack of discipline, strategic insights, and proper conditioning for soldiers are also discussed, emphasizing the relationship between strict control, confidence, and the resulting effectiveness in warfare.
It is depicted that a commander's judgment must be informed by various factors such as the advantages derived from the terrain and weather ('Heaven and Earth'), the state of discipline, the relative strength and training of the army, and the consistency in rewards and punishments. The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and exploiting favorable situations is also noted as a hallmark of effective leadership.
Focusing on careful planning and the importance of not succumbing to personal emotions like anger or resentment, the significance of leading with caution and foresight to ensure peace and maintain an intact army is highlighted. The passages promote the strategy of putting soldiers in challenging situations to encourage their utmost effort, a tactic aiming to secure victory even when the odds are seemingly against them.