Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.
The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.
When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.
All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards.
The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate.
If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.
Quickness is the essence of the war.
To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.
He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.
Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and you know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and you know Earth, you may make your victory complete.
If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.
There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.
If your opponent is of choleric temper, irritate him.