The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
The worst calamities that befall an army arise from hesitation
Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.
One need not destroy one's enemy. One need only destroy his willingness to engage.
Secret operations are essential in war upon them the army relies to make its every move.
Bravery without forethought, causes a man to fight blindly and desperately like a mad bull. Such an opponent, must not be encountered with brute force, but may be lured into an ambush and slain.
Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.
Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.
All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?
Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
Do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat
We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors.
Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him.
But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.
You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.
When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is INSUBORDINATION.
The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.
In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact to shatter and destroy it is not so good.
The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the Ch'ang mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail...